Website: www.LHF.org
Twitter: @LHFarms Living History Farms is an interactive outdoor museum which educates, entertains & connects people to Midwestern rural life experiences!
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Operating as usual
It's National Pig Day! Here at Living History Farms we keep pigs at both the 1850 Farm and the 1900 Farm during the touring season. Did you know that pigs cannot sweat? To keep cool during the hot summer months, pigs push themselves down into the mud. This is called wallowing. Be sure to come visit the pigs when we open for the season on May 1!
#pigs #nationalpigday #livinghistoryfarms #livestock #farmlife
We're finishing up our series on oxen with Mike Witmer as he answers the question, "Why were oxen important to Iowa's early farmers?" Oxen were the preferred power of farmers on the prairie, as opposed to horses, when farmers were establishing farms in Iowa in the 1850s. Oxen were larger (weighing up to 1 ton!) and stronger than horses, so they were able to haul larger loads, and use the plow to break through the tough prairie sod and grasses for planting.
#YearoftheOx #livinghistoryfarms
Family Easter tickets are live on our website! Come celebrate the arrival of spring at the Farms. Enjoy Easter egg hunts, baby animals, wagon rides and more! We are selling timed tickets for this event to limit the number of visitors checking into the Visitor Center at one time. However, feel free to stay the duration of the event once outside.
Purchase tickets at: https://www.lhf.org/event/family-easter/
This month we're focusing on oxen in celebration of Chinese New Year and the Year of the Ox. Oxen are driven in pairs that are connected by a wooden carved yoke. Once connected, a teamster will use voice commands to guide the oxen, such as “Step Up” (go forward), “Gee” (turn right), “Haw” (turn left), “Whoa” (stop), and “Back” (back up). Oxen wear a yoke in order to pull various farm implements. See Kerstin explain the parts of a yoke on Zach and Millard in this video.
#YearoftheOx #livinghistoryfarms
Love is in the air! Did you know that you can rent space at Living History Farms for your big day? You can say "I do!" in various places around the Farms. Some popular spots include the Church of the Land, Flynn Barn, and our Visitor Center. Head to our website and visit the "About Us" section for more information. Spaces are already filling up for 2021. 💕
Last week we shared that an ox is a steer that has been trained to work as a draft animal. So what does it take to become an ox? Training starts when cattle are a few weeks old as they learn to be comfortable around people. The first step in an ox’s training doesn’t involve any work at all, but there is still a lot for young calves to learn. They are taught to wear a halter and how to walk calmly on a lead rope. They learn that humans bring them food and soothing brushes and pet them. It takes four years for a steer to become a fully trained ox. Up until that point, they are known as working steers.
#YearoftheOx #livinghistoryfarms
No matter how many more weeks of winter there are, we're inviting you to dream of spring and reserve your place at our Flynn Mansion Dinners this March! You'll dine on multiple courses and live the life of an upperclass Victorian for the evening. Dates are limited, so book your table today.
https://www.lhf.org/events-and-programs/historic-dinners/
This month is the beginning of the Chinese New Year, and 2021 is the year of the Ox. What is an ox? You might be surprised to know that an ox is not a specific breed of cattle or its own special species. Rather, an ox is a steer that has been trained to work as a draft animal. Oxen commonly provided power for farmers when Iowa first became a state.
We didn’t find quite so many of our friends outside during chores this morning. Many were cozied up in the barn.
We're bringing back our Chocolate Cake to go! Order one of these decadent Historic Dinner treats for you and your sweetheart. These delicious desserts are prepared by our interpreters using a popular recipe from our Historic Dinner Program.
Place your order by February 10 and pick up 10am-noon on Saturday, February 13.
Cakes are $50 with proceeds benefiting Living History Farms. Quantities are limited!
https://marketplace.lhf.org/SelectSKU.aspx?skuid=1002020
It's the start of Black History Month, and today we are learning about Carter G. Woodson, who is known as the "Father of Black History." Woodson founded Negro History Week, a precursor to Black History Month, and believed in the importance of all Americans learning about the heritage, accomplishments, and contributions of Black Americans. “Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.”
Read more about Carter G. Woodson and find a list of his books here: https://www.naacp.org/naacp-history-carter-g-woodson/
We expected to find everyone cozied up in the barn this morning, but these three were out playing in the snow 🐷❄️
#snowday #farmlife #livinghistoryfarms #pigs #pigsnouts
This month @livestockconservancy is celebrating Swine month and special heritage breeds. At Living History Farms, we have one of these breeds; Ossabaw Island Hogs. The Ossabaw pig breed is unique in the fact that they are close genetic relatives to the livestock originally brought by the Spanish to the Americas in the 16th century. Ossabaw Island Hogs originate from Ossabaw Island off the coast of Georgia, where they roamed free. Iowa farmers in the 1850s would also let their pigs roam free in the summertime. Wild pigs might enjoy plants, nuts, and even mice (if they could catch them)! In the fall, they would be rounded up and put into pens to be fattened for the winter. Pigs provided meat for the family, lard for cooking or soap making, and a possible source of income for the farm.
#livinghistory #farmlife #swine #farmanimals #pigs
#iowafarm
Build your 'historic' skillset with our spring classes!
Want to try your hand at baking in a woodstove? Sign up for a Historic Skills class and you'll receive expert guidance from Living History Farms staff, along with recipes and a mini history lesson.
Or sign up for a class with your teen to learn knitting, crochet, or get creative (and a little messy!) as you use the presses in the Print Shop. https://www.lhf.org/events-and-programs/historic-skills-classes/
It’s always fun to go behind-the-scenes, and our new Jr. Curator Camp recently let some lucky kids do just that, seeing cool artifacts up close and visiting places that are usually off-limits to guests. Then they let their creativity go wild as they created their own mini exhibits. Stay tuned for more Jr. Curator Camp opportunities, and in the meantime, check out the LHF Kids Blog for tips to make your own mini-museum exhibit at home! https://www.lhf.org/lhf-kids-blog/
The reviews are in - last week's Winter Break Camp at Living History Farms was named, "the best camp ever!" Check out this tiny exhibit created in our new Jr. Curator Camp.
Now that we've flipped the calendar to a new year, we're planning great things for this summer's camps. And registration is now open for members! Members get a 15% discount and exclusive early registration. Sign up now: www.LHF.org/events-and-programs/day-camps/summer-day-camp/
Registration opens to non-members on January 11.
Everyone enjoyed a snowy afternoon at the 1900 Farm today. A few even came out to say hello.
In case you have plans, Santa’s Rock N Lights is closed tonight (12/29), but Winter Break Camp for Wednesday (12/30) is still a “go.” Bundle up for lots of fun in our wintery wonderland! 🧣🧤☃️
May your holidays be shiny and bright! ✨ These festive baubles are mid-20th century Christmas tree ornaments from our historic artifact collection. This collection features two very popular types of ornaments, the iconic Shiny Brites and imported mercury glass. Read more in our latest post on the LHF Blog:
https://www.lhf.org/2020/12/may-your-holidays-be-shiny-and-bright/
Become a museum curator in this year's Winter Break Camp and make your own exhibit for your favorite pet or stuffed animal! Sign up now for curator-themed camps for kids in grades 2-6.
Other camp offerings let you time travel back to the "pioneer days" where you'll build log houses, dip candles, and sew quilts, or you can bring your whole family to our Flynn Sampler Camp and live like an upperclass Victorian family for the day.
Register by December 14! https://www.lhf.org/events-and-programs/day-camps/winter-break-camp/
Beat the winter blues with one of our Winter Break Camps. This December we have camps geared towards kids in grades 2-6, as well as families. Registration is open now, and camps are limited capacity, so reserve a spot today. Visit our website for more information and camp descriptions. ❄️⛄
https://www.lhf.org/events-and-programs/day-camps/winter-break-camp
After all your generous giving on this Giving Tuesday, it's time to treat yourself or - someone you love - to dessert! Give the gift of chocolate with an old fashioned homemade delight straight from Living History Farms' historic 1900 kitchen. Order cake online for pickup December 5, December 12, or December 19. https://www.lhf.org/shop/chocolate-cake-to-go/
The programs and services at Living History Farms are sustained by small donations – $25 to $1000 – and we make them count. For example, $75 can pay for the shearing of our sheep, $100 provides a veterinary check up for a farm animal, and $500 could buy spring oat seed for the 1900 Farm field.
We are grateful for any amount that you wish to contribute. By giving a little on #GivingTuesday, you’re doing a lot at Living History Farms. https://www.lhf.org/donate/giving-tuesday/
Have you ever visited the Flynn Mansion and thought, "I could see myself living here..."? Here's your chance to purchase a similar home! 🏡
We see a lot of similarities to the 1870s Flynn Mansion in this 1880 home, and it looks like it is on the National Register of Historic Places, just like the Flynn home.
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/106-N-Vine-St-Abilene-KS-67410/91120914_zpid/
For sale: $419,000.
Due to increased precautions surrounding group gatherings during this time, our Family Christmas event will be postponed until 2021.
You can still support our non-profit museum this holiday season!
Consider giving the gift of membership, purchase a class, camp, or a Historic Dinner, or you can make a donation to Living History Farms, in honor of your loved ones. We are grateful for every purchase and gift in support of our mission! www.LHF.org
Family Halloween round 2 starts tonight! 🎃 Join us for festive fun this Fri-Sun with trick-or-treating, games, horse-drawn wagon rides, storytellers, and seasonal snacks from food vendors. Tickets available online and at the door. 🍫🍬🍭
#livinghistoryfarms #familyhalloween #desmoinesdoesthings #spookyseason #midwestmoment #iowagreatplace #thisisiowa #catchdsm #urbandaleiowa
Living History Farms is endorsing ‘Mr. Dave the Toad’, for the election happening at our partner organization, Blank Park Zoo.
Mr. Dave is named after a great Zoo volunteer and is a much-loved ambassador animal whose work helps educate children of all ages - a cause close to our hearts. Visit the Zoo's page for more info! #raceforzoomayor
Thanks for sharing a beautiful photo of our beloved Flynn Barn!
Happy #FarmscapesFriday Partner Site Edition! "A Fenceline Morning" by Michael Callison. Taken at Living History Farms in Urbandale for the 2020 Capture the Heart of America Photo Contest. Enter your photos today! More than $1800 in cash prizes. Deadline is Oct. 31. www.silosandsmokestacks.org/photo-contest.
Want to experience the fun of a Historic Dinner with the whole family? Sign up for our kid-friendly Eats and Treats Dinner program! You'll enjoy a tasty meal in the historic Tangen Home, followed by a fall craft, and admission to our Family Halloween event. This season, we're guaranteeing the whole table for your party. Limited dates available, so don't delay! https://www.lhf.org/events-and-programs/historic-dinners/family-halloween-eats-treats/
Get Halloween tickets during our Spook-on sale, now through Friday and save $1 off! https://www.LHF.org/family-halloween-oct-16
October 16-18 and 23-25, enjoy trick-or-treating through our historic town, games such as pumpkin ring toss and candy corn bowling, horse-drawn wagon rides, food trucks with yummy treats, and more. Join us for some festive, family fun at the Farms!
Are you in need of more volunteer hours this year for your school or organization? We have several volunteer opportunities coming up with our Family Halloween event. You can help run games such as candy corn bowling or pumpkin ring toss, pass out candy to trick-or-treaters, help guide our guests, or other positions.
Find more information and sign up now:
https://www.lhf.org/volunteer/
Just two more weeks to visit all of our historic farms and town sites during the general season this year! Open Wed-Sat, 9am-4pm through October 16. Come see us soon!
Head to Smash Park Des Moines today and help support Living History Farms! Grab a spot on the patio and enjoy some food and fun. 10% of sales from the day will be donated to the Farms.
Stop by 5-8pm tonight for a chance to win free admission to LHF, and take advantage of a free kids meal with the purchase of an adult meal.
Support Living History Farms THIS Tuesday at Smash Park!
Every Tuesday we donate 10% of all sales to a different local charity. This week we'll be donating to Living History Farms.
Living History Farms is an interactive outdoor history museum which educates, entertains and connects people of all ages to Midwestern rural life experiences.
See you this Tuesday to support this great cause!
Every part of the Victorian mourning process was infused with meaning, from the clothing worn by the mourners, to the way one's house was decorated, and the symbols engraved onto headstones. If a headstone displayed a lily, lamb, or angel, for example, it likely symbolized purity and innocence. A tightly closed rosebud might mean the death of a child before they had the chance to bloom into an adult. If you found clasped hands, it could represent the unity of a husband and wife.
Learn more about mourning traditions during our fictional Victorian Funeral on Saturday, October 10. We'll be open 9am-4pm, with a funeral procession starting at 1pm. All event activities are included in regular admission.
Discounted "Spook-on" tickets for Family Halloween are only on sale for a limited time - get yours now!
Trick-or-treat in the 1876 Town of Walnut Hill October 16-18 and 23-25. "Teal Pumpkin" stops will be available for trick-or-treaters with allergies. Enjoy games like candy corn bowling and pumpkin ring toss, and purchase tasty seasonal treats from local food trucks.
Our spook-on sale continues through October 9.
Get your tickets today! https://www.lhf.org/event/family-halloween-oct-16/
Historic Dinners are on sale now, and we are waiving our corking fee this season! Living History Farms does not sell wine, but guests may bring one standard sized (750 ml) bottle of wine per 2 guests to our 1900 Farm and Tangen Home Historic Dinners.
Find out more about our Historic Dinner programs and purchase tickets now: https://www.lhf.org/events-and-programs/historic-dinners/
11121 Hickman Rd
Urbandale, IA
50322
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As the Mayor Fred Hoiberg prepares to leave his home state, we're remembering him in this throwback video. Come back and visit us again soon!
Living History Farms is an interactive outdoor museum which educates, entertains & connects people to Midwestern rural life experiences.
West Des Moines Historical Society
2001 Fuller Road, West Des MoinesDes Moines Art Center Print Club
4700 Grand Ave, Des MoinesWaukee Area Historical Society
P. O. Box 358, WaukeeAnderson Gallery, Drake University
1310 25th St., Des Moines
