Living History Farms is an interactive outdoor museum which educates, entertains & connects people to Midwestern rural life experiences!
Mission: Living History Farms is an interactive outdoor history museum which educates, entertains and connects people of all ages to Midwestern rural life experiences.
We are seeking volunteers to help with games and contests and handing out food items on Independence Day at Living History Farms. Most shifts are 11am-1:30pm or 1:30–4pm.
Visit the link below to see the openings and sign up now!
https://livinghistoryfarms.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=39356
Enjoy an old-fashioned fourth with an iconic, historic Independence Day celebration in the town of Walnut Hill. Families can take part in pie eating contests, foot races, spelling bees, the town parade, watermelon seed spitting contests, and more! To fit everything in, be sure to arrive early to tour our historic farms, enjoy the town activities, and still have time to catch the Walnut Hill Bluestockings baseball game at 2:30pm.
https://www.lhf.org/event/independence-day/
Pork is the meat most associated with modern Midwestern culture, but it certainly isn’t the only one! Through Iowa’s history, both fish and poultry have been active meal ingredients. This week, the historic sites at Living History Farms present many of the ways fish, poultry, and eggs were harvested and prepared. Visit the LHF Blog for more info! https://www.lhf.org/lhf-blog/whats-cooking/
- Today (Tuesday, June 25), visit the Flynn Mansion for a peek at a high-style Victorian Fish course and fried oysters at 1900 Farm.
- The 1700 Ioway Farm will be roasting meat in an open fire on Thursday, June 27.
- On Friday, June 28, several sites will highlight egg recipes, including a “from scratch” custard, and 1900 Farm will be making fried chicken.
- Saturday, June 29, the 1850 Pioneer Farm shows off the best in hearth cooking technology by roasting chicken in a “tin kitchen” roaster.
- Visit the 1900 Farm all week for a look at poultry breeds in the 19th century era!
- Visit the Print Shop on Saturday to print a chicken engraving!
“What’s Cooking” Program Presenting Sponsor – Hy-Vee
Dog-lovers, bring your furry friends to our dog-friendly History Happy Hour on Thursday, July 11! You can explore historic sites in our 1875 Town, play classic lawn games, meet a farm animal or two, and enjoy live music - all with a drink in your hand. We'll have a bar, wine and beer samples, and a food truck. Tickets are just $10/person and free for members. https://www.LHF.org/event/history-happy-hour-july/
We are seeking volunteers to help with games and contests and handing out food items on Independence Day at Living History Farms. Most shifts are 11am-1:30pm or 1:30–4pm.
Visit the link below to see the openings and sign up now!
https://livinghistoryfarms.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=39356
Our History Through the Lens photo contest is now open! Photographers of all experience levels are invited to submit their photos taken at Living History showcasing "Faces of the Farms" and "Places of the Farms."
Prizes will be awarded for Best in Show, as well as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in both categories. Prizes include a photography class at the Des Moines Art Center, $250 gift certificates to Alexander's Photo, Family Memberships to Living History Farms, and gift certificates to our museum store. Enter now - submissions are due by July 6!
Visit https://www.lhf.org/httl-photo-contest/ for official rules and to enter!
In 2019, we tend to be very particular about how much fat and oil is in our daily diet. Midwestern farming families in the past weren’t always able to be quite so picky. Fat and oils provided needed calories and nutrition. These fats came from the resources at hand, most often in the form of animal fats. Iowa’s farmers also knew what tasted good to them, in baking, frying, and desserts. Fats like bison and deer tallow for the Ioway culture, lard, butter, and even cream for pioneers and late 19th century farmers, were all every day ingredients over the course of Iowa’s history. This week our historic kitchens explore the ways fats were used in the past as preservation tools, frying oils, and recipe ingredients.
On Monday, the Pioneer farm made lard based pie crust. Wednesday, the Tangen House staff will try their hand at Caramel Ice Cream! The Ioway farm staff will make Pemmican on Thursday and the pioneers will churn butter on Saturday. Come and enjoy the demonstration and check the LHF blog for recipes to try at home!
https://www.lhf.org/lhf-blog/whats-cooking/
We are seeking volunteers to help with games and contests and handing out food items on Independence Day at Living History Farms. Most shifts are 11am-1:30pm or 1:30–4pm.
Visit the link below to see the openings and sign up now!
https://livinghistoryfarms.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=39356
Our History Through the Lens photo contest is now open! Photographers of all experience levels are invited to submit their photos taken at Living History showcasing "Faces of the Farms" and "Places of the Farms."
Prizes will be awarded for Best in Show, as well as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in both categories. Prizes include a photography class at the Des Moines Art Center, $250 gift certificates to Alexander's Photo, Family Memberships to Living History Farms, and gift certificates to our museum store. Enter now - submissions are due by July 6!
Visit https://www.lhf.org/httl-photo-contest/ for official rules and to enter!
Beautiful day to celebrate a Pioneer Wedding! #weddingseason #livinghistoryfarms #livinghistorymuseum #pioneerwedding #historythroughthelens
Join us for History Through the Lens tomorrow at Living History Farms to broaden your knowledge of photography and practice your skills throughout our 500 acre museum filled with historic buildings, natural beauty, and photogenic animals.
A Canon technical rep will be joining us in the LHF Visitor Center throughout the day to demonstrate equipment, offer tips, and answer questions.
Check out the schedule of classes offered throughout the day, and bring your camera for a fun day of learning!
https://www.LHF.org/event/history-through-the-lens/
Watch the origins of “America’s Greatest Pastime” by catching a Walnut Hill Bluestockings 1875-rules baseball game on Father's Day at Living History Farms!
The team, made up of LHF volunteers, follow Gentleman’s rules, which include: no mitts allowed; the batter, or “striker”, gets to call the pitch; and no cussin’ or spittin’. Kids in the crowd will have a chance to bat around at the end of the game! Arrive early to tour the rest of the museum before the game at 1:30pm in the afternoon.
https://www.lhf.org/events-and-programs/historic-baseball
Historic Baseball games are included in regular admission to Living History Farms.
Our History Happy Hour series kicks off on tomorrow, June 13 from 5:30-9pm! Join us for live music and a barn dance, traditional outdoor games, free samples from local breweries and wineries, and a cash bar in LHF's 1875 Town. Tickets are just $10 and free for LHF members! https://www.lhf.org/event/history-happy-hour-june/
What’s Cooking at Living History Farms? Quite a lot, actually!
Throughout the summer, our museum demonstrates food traditions, cooking techniques, and historic ingredients at many of our historic houses. This week, our museum’s historic kitchens will explore these and other surprising items with the theme of "Did they really eat that?”
- Visit the Tangen House on Wednesday, June 12 for a look at the preparation of Macaroni and Cheese in the 1870s style!
- The 1700 Ioway Farm will demonstrate Ioway corn bread on Thursday, June 13.
- On Friday, June 14, the 1850 Pioneer Farm will explore the uses of chicory and other plants in coffee substitutes.
- The 1900 Farm and General Store are quizzing guests on their knowledge of packaged goods and ingredients at the end of the week as well. Do you know when sandwich cookies hit the market? How about powdered lemonade? Or packaged gelatin? Pay us a visit and find out!
Today at the 1900 Farm, staff are using a dump rake to collect hay which was cut with a horse-drawn Deering McCormick mower last week. Next up this afternoon, they'll be putting the hay up in the barn. 🐴👨🌾☀️
#farmlife #puttinguphay #1900farm #livinghistoryfarms #animalsinaction #percherons
Explore off-camera flash and how it can impact your portraits with photographer Jason Wehrman, during Saturday's History Through the Lens event at Living History Farms. Try out some gear during class and learn some tips and tricks to make the most of off camera lights.
Jason's classes, and several more classes on photography-related topics, are included with regular admission to Living History Farms on June 15. Check out the schedule and get your tickets now! https://www.lhf.org/event/history-through-the-lens/
Supporting Sponsor: Alexander's Photo
The awesome Sarah @livinghistoryfarms on their #history through the lens Photography day.
#desmoines #iowa #ankeny #midwestliving #godox #strobist #onelight
Take a walk with photographer Steve Alexander as you explore Outdoor Portrait Lighting Solutions together in his walking class during History Through the Lens on Saturday, June 15. Bring your camera and learn techniques for taking quality shots in different lighting situations at Living History Farms' historic sites.
Steve's classes, and several more classes on photography-related topics are included with regular admission to Living History Farms on June 15. Check out the schedule and get your tickets now! https://www.lhf.org/event/history-through-the-lens/
Our History Happy Hour series kicks off on Thursday, June 13 from 5:30-9pm! Join us for live music and a barn dance, traditional outdoor games, free samples from local breweries and wineries, and a cash bar in LHF's 1875 Town. Tickets are just $10 and free for LHF members! https://www.lhf.org/event/history-happy-hour-june/
Join us on Saturday, June 15 to celebrate a wedding, pioneer-style, at our 1850 Farm! We'll have two ceremonies at 11am and 1:30pm for visitors to experience the traditions that brought a pioneer community together, including a good-natured prank on the newlyweds, dancing, and wedding cake for guests.
https://www.lhf.org/event/pioneer-wedding/
Our History Happy Hour series kicks off on Thursday, June 13 from 5:30-9pm! Join us for live music and a barn dance, traditional outdoor games, free samples from local breweries and wineries, and a cash bar in LHF's 1875 Town. Tickets are just $10 and free for LHF members! https://www.lhf.org/event/history-happy-hour-june/
On Saturday, June 15, don't miss former news photographer Bob Nandell's presentations during our History Through the Lens event about aerial photography with the Des Moines Register and his 40 year career in news photography. Bob will share insights from his experiences and stories of what it took to get a great shot during some significant news-making events.
https://www.gannett-cdn.com/media/2018/07/11/IAGroup/DesMoines/636669186548754855-1182-005.jpg?width=1280
Bob's classes, along with several other photography-related classes, are all included along with general admission to Living History Farms on June 15. See the full schedule and purchase your tickets now! https://www.lhf.org/event/history-through-the-lens/
Explore some hidden gems of Living History Farms' Collections! Take a 45 minute Behind-the-Scenes guided tour of our historic treasures led by our collections staff and learn some tips for caring for your own heirloom objects. Tours are offered on select dates throughout the year.
Sign up today! https://www.lhf.org/events-and-programs/collections-behind-the-scenes-tours/
It's story time with the animals at Living History Farms! Do you know a 3, 4, or 5 year old that loves stories about farm animals and living on a farm? Sign up now for Barnyard Readers programs in June, July and August!
Programs will feature different animals of the day. Over the series, you'll learn about chickens, sheep, pigs, cows, horses, and oxen, and get to meet the animals on the farm!
https://www.lhf.org/events-and-programs/barnyard-readers/summer
Sign up now for the next Homeschool Day on June 4! Living History Farms’ Homeschool Days are the perfect opportunity for families to learn together. You and your children will have the opportunity to tour the museum’s many historic areas, participate in hands-on activities, and have fun!
Stewardship is the responsible use and protection of the natural environment. Through talks, activities, demonstrations, and games, learn about how we can all be good stewards of the land.
Save money when you register in advance, now through Monday, June 3 at noon. https://www.lhf.org/event/summer-homeschool-day/
Join us for the Walnut Hill Bluestockings' home opener tomorrow at Living History Farms! The team plays by 1870's rules which include, no mitts allowed; the batter, or “striker”, gets to call the pitch; and no cussin’ or spittin’. Kids in the crowd will have a chance to bat around at the end of the game!
We'll be open 9am-4pm and celebrating Memorial Day traditions during Decoration Day, with the Historic Baseball game at 1:30pm. The game and other activities are included in regular admission.
https://www.lhf.org/event/decoration-day/
Summer Day Camp is right around the corner! Sign up your child for some outdoor fun this summer where they'll spend days making friends, learning about history, nature, and science on the grounds of Living History Farms! We offer camps for kids entering grades K-8 and a family camp for all ages to experience together.
Camps are filling up, but we still have spaces available. Kindergarteners and 1st graders, check our afternoon Farm Life and Visiting the Past camps for some openings!
https://www.LHF.org/events-and-programs/day-camps
Time lapse video of last week's Safe T Home® build at Living History Farms: https://youtu.be/9zO4ofQfbZ0
And find out more about the installation and Sukup Safe T Homes® here: https://conta.cc/2VQweUm
Sukup Manufacturing Co. GoServ Global
Come visit our new traveling exhibit, "Bee-Lieve It or Not," and learn about what makes a honeybee a honeybee. And catch our first historic baseball game of the season this Saturday, during Decoration Day, and more fun upcoming events! https://youtu.be/GEPqcZ7v6yg
https://www.LHF.org
Living History Farm - Bee Lieve it or Not
Soybean Planting Day, originally scheduled for May 18, will be postponed to Saturday, May 25 from 10am-12pm due to weather. Join us next weekend to learn about the rise of soybeans as a crop in the 20th century and help us plant a small plot at the 1900 Farm. The planting activity is included in regular admission!
https://www.lhf.org/event/soybean-planting
Presenting Sponsor - Iowa Soybean Association
We'll also be celebrating Memorial Day traditions next Saturday (May 25) during Decoration Day. Join us in a moving procession to honor fallen heroes at 1pm, and kick off the historic baseball season with our Walnut Hill Bluestockings home opener at 1:30pm.
This Saturday, we're celebrating Tractor Day on the Living History Farms front lawn! Join us for this FREE event where you'll have a chance to ride and drive some new and antique John Deere tractors from our event partners at Van Wall. Front lawn activities are free and open to the public. Regular admission is required to tour the rest of Living History Farms (free for members!). Be sure to look for our new Tractor Tracker when you visit our farm sites!
https://www.lhf.org/event/tractor-day/
This Thursday, May 16, Living History Farms will be teaming up with GoServ Global, Sukup Manufacturing Co., and Polk County Farm Bureau to build a Safe T Home® as a new feature at the museum!
The build will occur while the museum is open, allowing guests—including hundreds of Iowa schoolchildren—to observe the process. The Safe T Home® represents a piece of Iowa's agricultural heritage and innovation, and these structures now serve the world as invaluable shelter for communities around the world. Find out more about the build and Safe T Homes® here: https://conta.cc/2HtAtuH
Photo courtesy of GoServ Global
New post on the LHF Kids Blog all about our muddy spring on the farm! https://www.lhf.org/2019/05/muddy-spring/
It’s spring! That means the days are warmer and all the snow is gone. Farmers around the museum are very busy. There are baby animals to look after. The 1850 Pioneer Farm has lambs bouncing around in the pasture. There are now three new calves living at the 1900 Farm. Young chicks are in the 1900 ...
LHF Kids Trail Run, May 4, 2019. If you missed out on this year's event, don't miss out next year! It was a perfect day, and kids ages 12 and under had a blast running 1 mile and 5K races. Activities included pre-race games and a group warm-up. https://www.lhf.org/living-history-farms-kids-trail-run
To download high resolution versions of the photos, please visit: https://photos.app.goo.gl/iKsNka96FZ2HRgqW8
LHF Kids Trail Run, May 4, 2019. If you missed out on this year's event, don't miss out next year! It was a perfect day, and kids ages 12 and under had a blast running 1 mile and 5K races. Activities included pre-race games and a group warm-up. https://www.lhf.org/living-history-farms-kids-trail-run
To download high resolution versions of the photos, please visit: https://photos.app.goo.gl/iKsNka96FZ2HRgqW8
11121 Hickman Rd
Urbandale, IA
50322
| Monday | 09:00 - 16:00 |
| Tuesday | 09:00 - 16:00 |
| Wednesday | 09:00 - 16:00 |
| Thursday | 09:00 - 16:00 |
| Friday | 09:00 - 16:00 |
| Saturday | 09:00 - 16:00 |
| Sunday | 12:00 - 16:00 |
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Beautiful day to celebrate a Pioneer Wedding! #weddingseason #livinghistoryfarms #livinghistorymuseum #pioneerwedding #historythroughthelens
Summer Day Camp activities at Living History Farms
Merry Christmas from the staff at Living History Farms! 🎄
Give us a hand at Grain Harvest on Saturday, August 4! See how farming methods changed with technology as you travel through the 1850 and 1900 era farms. From hand power to horsepower, witness it all as you hear the smash of the flail and the roar of the steam-powered thresher. Demonstrations will be weather dependent. Event activities are included in regular admission to Living History Farms.
Give us a hand at Grain Harvest on Saturday, August 4! See how farming methods changed with technology as you travel through the 1850 and 1900 era farms. From hand power to horsepower, witness it all as you hear the smash of the flail and the roar of the steam-powered thresher. Demonstrations will be weather dependent. Event activities are included in regular admission to Living History Farms.
Wheat harvest has begun at our 1850 Pioneer Farm! Earlier this week our 1850 Farm staff used a grain cradle and sickle to begin cutting wheat. Join us on Saturday, August 5 for our Grain Harvest event! Help with threshing the wheat at the pioneer farm and see how technology, like steam-powered machinery, changed the harvest process when you visit the 1900 Farm. We'll also have fun activities in our 1875 Town, like a Historic Baseball game, a Medicine Show, free refreshments, and crafts for kids. Details at www.LHF.org/GrainHarvest
#NotToBrag but you can explore 300 Years of History in one day at Living History Farms! Come visit us this week for #IowaMuseumWeek! Iowa Museum Week Schedule: Everyday, hands-on activities at farm & town sites Tuesday, Farrier visiting the Blacksmith shop for horse-shoeing Wednesday-Friday, BOGO Free Admission Saturday, Pioneer Wedding Sunday, Historic Baseball www.LHF.org/IowaMuseumWeek Iowa Culture Iowa Museum Association
Take a look at what an egg looks like before the hard outer shell has formed. #livinghistoryfarms #chickens #eggs
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!
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