Oliver H. Kelley Homestead facts for kids
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Oliver H. Kelley Homestead
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The Kelley Homestead in Elk River
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | 15788 Kelley Farm Rd. Elk River, MN 55330 |
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| Area | 189 acres (76 ha) |
| Built | 1850 |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000406 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHLD | July 19, 1964 |
The Oliver Kelley Farm is a special historic farm in Elk River, Minnesota. It used to belong to Oliver Hudson Kelley. He was one of the people who started the Order of Patrons of Husbandry. This farm is a U.S. National Historic Landmark. This means it is a very important place in American history. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the Minnesota Historical Society runs the farm as a place where people can learn about history. It became a National Historic Landmark in 1964.
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Discovering the Oliver Kelley Farm
The Oliver Kelley Farm helps us understand what farming was like long ago. It shows how farmers lived and worked in the 1800s. This farm is a living museum. You can see how people farmed before big machines.
Oliver Kelley's Journey
Oliver Kelley moved to Minnesota in 1849. This was the same year Minnesota Territory was created. He didn't know much about farming at first. But he taught himself by reading farm magazines. He also wrote letters to other farmers who used new ideas.
Kelley became very good at farming in Minnesota. He learned about the many problems farmers faced. Bad weather, money troubles, bugs, and failed crops could ruin a farmer's life. These experiences showed him how hard farming could be.
Starting the Grange Movement
In 1864, Oliver Kelley started working for the United States Department of Agriculture. After the American Civil War ended, he traveled around the Southern states. He saw how farming was done there. When he returned to Washington, D.C., he had an idea. He believed farmers could help each other. They could work together in groups called "cooperative associations."
So, in 1867, he and some friends started the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry. This group, often called the Grange, helped farmers share ideas and support each other. It was a way for farmers to have a stronger voice. Oliver Kelley later came back to Minnesota. He wanted to start local Grange groups there.
The Farm's History and What You Can Do Today
The Kelley family owned the farm until 1901. Then, in 1935, the National Grange bought the farm. They gave it to the Minnesota Historical Society in 1961.
Today, the farm is a fun place to visit. Guides dressed in old-fashioned clothes give tours. They invite visitors to help with farm chores. You can try picking vegetables or churning butter. You might even learn how to make soap! It's a great way to see history come alive.
Helping the Farm Stay Open
In 2003, the state of Minnesota had less money. This meant the Oliver Kelley Farm might have to close. To help, a group called "Friends of the Kelley Farm" was formed. They worked to raise money to keep the farm open. This group also helps the farm teach people about history. They work hard to protect this important place.
New Additions to the Farm
In 2017, the Minnesota Historical Society opened new parts of the farm. They added a new visitor center. They also built a modern "Farm Lab" area. This new area has a barn, a garden, and fields. These new parts, along with Kelley's old 1860s farm, show how farming has changed. Visitors can learn about farming from the 1860s all the way to today.
