Living History Farms in Urbandale, Iowa, tells the amazing story of how Iowans transformed the fertile prairies of the Midwest into the most productive farmland in the world. While at the 550-acre open-air museum, visitors travel at their own pace through five historical time periods spanning 300 years. On-site interpreters provide a unique learning environment of seasonal activities and demonstrations. A complete visit lasts three to four hours.
Every day at Living History Farms presents new activities to help you Get Your Grip on history.
The farming techniques practiced by the Ioway Indians in 1700 pre-dated history and varied somewhat from European methods. Ioway farmers raised corn, beans and squash.
Activities included Tanning a Deer Hide.
Until pioneer families earned enough money to purchase modern 1850 technology, they relied on older farming methods. For example, women prepared food over an open fire even though wood-burning cookstoves were available. The majority of people who settled in Iowa in the 1840s and 1850s came from the Eastern United States ~.
Activities included Making Soap.
In the 1875 town, you can see early evidence of the Industrial Revolution in the mass-produced furniture of the upper-class home, the factory goods in the general store, and the labor-saving machinery in the carpenter’s shop. When railroads arrived at towns like this, the craftsmen gradually disappeared, being undersold by eastern factories, and the towns shifted even more heavily to service and retail functions.
Activities included Binding Brooms
Technology had reached Iowa farms in 1900, by way of the hand-crank telephone, Acorn cook stove, and updated farm equipment, such the horse-drawn plow, planter, hay press and more.
Activities included hauling manure.
TravelAmerica Magazine’s top 20 tours in the United States includes Living History Farms as a highlighted stop.
I live near Living History Farms, and I think it’s a very high quality operation. I recommended it to anyone traveling through Iowa.
Hi, I attended Living History Farm day camp back in approximately 1981 (4th grade). I have very fond memories of riding on the manure wagon, exploring the woods separating the 1900 farm from the pioneer farm, and making my own broom. I did, hoever, not feel comfortable riding the horse bare back.
It was also a popular place for school field trips. We had to wear blue jeans, flannel shirt, rope for a belt, carry our lunch in a can. I got in trouble in the school house, because I refused to stand up and pray (this was before PC). Overall I have fond memories.