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Mrs. Knodel reads the Laura Ingalls Wilder series to her classroom each year to inspire curiosity and foster learning about the American pioneer experience. Five of the nine books in the series take place so close to home, in DeSmet, SD. Mrs. Knodel recently invited 3rd and 4th graders to join her in DeSmet to immerse themselves in all things Laura Ingalls Wilder by paying a visit to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Homes and the Ingalls Homestead. There ended up being 18 people in the group. While there, the group took a tour of the historic buildings in town that pertain to the Ingalls family. Amongst these buildings were the Surveyor’s House, which is mentioned in Laura’s Book, By the Shores of Silver Lake. The family lived in that house during the winter of 1879-1880 in DeSmet and this is also where the first church service in DeSmet was held. The group also visited the actual school Laura and her sister, Carrie, attended, and the house that Charles Ingalls had built after deciding to give up farming and move into town. The town house still contains original cabinets “Pa” built in the kitchen as well as memorabilia from the family. All of these buildings had been restored to the condition it would have been when the Ingalls family resided there. There is also a replica of the Brewster School that Laura taught at in These Happy Golden Years. Next, the Avon crew enjoyed shopping at the Loftus store and had lunch at Ward’s store, which according to the third graders included some “bussin’ onion rings.” Both these stores are places Laura would frequently visit while living in DeSmet. The DeSmet Cemetery was the next stop before heading to the Ingalls Homestead. The cemetery contains the graves of Charles and Caroline Ingalls as well as their daughters Mary, Carrie, and Grace. Laura and Almonzo Wilder’s infant son’s grave is also found here as well as other people mentioned in Laura’s Books. The Ingalls Homestead, located about 1.5 miles from town, is the original homestead site of Charles P. Ingalls. In By the Shores of Silver Lake, Laura writes about her and Carrie coming face to face with a pair of wolves. The run home to the Surveyor’s House and tell Pa about it. He goes out to hunt these wolves. Upon arriving home, he announces he did not find the wolves, but did find the homestead claim he wants to file on once the office in Brookings opens in the Spring. The Homestead today still includes the original 5 cottonwood trees Charles planted near the house for Ma and the girls. Visiting the Ingalls Homestead allows visitors to experience every type of shelter the Ingalls family has lived in including a covered wagon, dugout, shanty, and prairie house. It offers many handson activities that encourage touching and doing. Visitors can do laundry the old-fashioned way with lye soap, a washboard, and a ringer. They even pump water to do the laundry from a nearby well. People can try their hand at playing a pump organ and running an old sewing machine. Participants can make rope and a corn cob doll. They can make hay twists and grind wheat in coffee grinders as they did in The Long Winter. There were ponies to ride, and everyone is invited to drive a wagon team and attend a session of school in a one room school. The highlight for our group was hanging out in the hay roof barn with a calf, chickens, and new kittens. Supper over the campfire was shared by the group, and kids were able to run and play on the homestead until bedtime. Some of the group members drove home after the visit, and others spent the night there. They offer tent camping, covered wagons, and places to park campers. Dax Fathke said, “It was pretty cool sleeping in the covered wagon. I’m glad I don’t have to do it every night! I enjoyed touring all the buildings and doing the activities. They had to be very resourceful back then and didn’t have all the materials we do now.” Dax and his mom, Lindsey said, “We both appreciate Mrs. Knodel lining up the trip for the kids. It is fun to see the books come to life. Nick Schryvers said, “It was one of the best camping trips I’ve ever been on. The haybarn was my favorite part because of the kittens.” Haley Brandt: “ I enjoyed seeing how Laura nd her family lived during that time. I really enjoyed taking the wagon to the school house and driving it back to the barn. “ Hudson Sees: “I really enjoyed riding the horse, seeing the baby animals, and making rope. I liked staying in the covered wagon, but it got cold at night. Thank you, Mrs. Knodel.” Rykr Hamilton: “ I liked spending he night in the covered wagon, playing with the baby kittens, and doing laundry.”