Laura Ingalls Wilder House facts for kids
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Laura Ingalls Wilder House
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 Location in Missouri
Location in the United States
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| Location | 3060 Highway A, Mansfield, Missouri |
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| Built | 1895 |
| Architect | Almanzo Wilder |
| Architectural style | Bungalow/Craftsman |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000353 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 19, 1970 |
| Designated NHL | July 17, 1991 |
The Laura Ingalls Wilder House, also known as Rocky Ridge Farm, is a famous historic house museum in Mansfield, Missouri. It was the longtime home of Laura Ingalls Wilder, the author of the popular Little House on the Prairie book series. She lived here from 1896 until she died in 1957 and wrote all her famous books in this house.
Today, the house is a museum where visitors can see where Laura lived and wrote. Because of its importance, it was named a National Historic Landmark in 1991. This means it is one of the most important historic places in the United States.
The Story of Rocky Ridge Farm
In 1894, Laura and her husband, Almanzo Wilder, bought 40 acres (16 ha) of land in Missouri. They paid $100 as a first payment. They decided to name their new home "Rocky Ridge" because of the stony land.
Almanzo, who was a skilled carpenter, built most of the house himself. He started in 1895 with just two rooms. Over the years, he kept adding more rooms with help from local workers. By 1912, the house had grown to ten rooms. They used local wood and stone to build their home.
After Laura died, people in the community wanted to preserve her home. They created a non-profit group to buy the house and turn it into a museum. This ensures that fans can visit and learn about her life for years to come.
A Tour of the Wilder House
The Wilder House is a unique wooden home. It has one and a half stories, with some parts of the attic being almost two stories tall. The house has several porches where the family could relax.
Inside, there are six rooms on the main floor and three rooms upstairs. Many of the family's original belongings are still in the house, so visiting is like stepping back in time.
The Rock House
On the same property, there is another special building called the Rock House. It was a gift to Laura and Almanzo from their daughter, Rose Wilder Lane. She had it built for them in 1928.
Laura and Almanzo lived in the Rock House from 1928 to 1936. It was in this cozy house, at the age of 65, that Laura began writing the Little House books. A pleasant path connects the Rock House to the main farmhouse.
See also
- Ingalls House (De Smet, South Dakota)
- Little House Wayside, her birth site in Wisconsin with replica of "Little House in the Big Woods"
- Little House on the Prairie Museum, Independence, Kansas, with replica cabin on site of homestead
- List of residences of American writers
