Oliver Kelley Farm facts for kids
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Oliver H. Kelley Homestead
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The farmhouse at the Oliver Kelley Farm
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | 15788 Kelley Farm Road, Elk River, Minnesota |
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| Area | 189 acres (76 ha) |
| Built | 1850–1870, 1876 |
| Architect | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000406 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Designated NHL | July 19, 1964 |
| Designated NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
The Oliver Kelley Farm is a special farm museum located in Elk River, Minnesota. From 1850 to 1870, it was the home of Oliver Hudson Kelley. He was a very important person who helped create the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry. This was the first big group in the United States that worked to help farmers.
Today, the Minnesota Historical Society takes care of the Oliver Kelley Farm. It is a National Historic Landmark, which means it's a really important place in American history. It shows us how farming and social groups started to change in the country.
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A Look at Oliver Kelley's Life
Oliver Kelley was born in 1826 and lived until 1913. He moved to Minnesota in 1849, when Minnesota was just becoming a territory. Even though he didn't know much about farming at first, he taught himself. He read farming magazines and wrote letters to other farmers who used scientific methods.
Kelley became an expert on farming in Minnesota. He learned how tough life could be for farmers. Bad weather, money problems, bugs, and crop failures could ruin everything. These experiences made him want to help.
How the Grange Began
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 much help farmers there needed.
When he returned to Washington, D.C., he had a big idea. He believed farmers could do better if they worked together. So, in 1867, he and some friends started the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry. This group helped farmers cooperate and support each other.
Kelley's Farm Through the Years
In 1868, Kelley came back to his farm in Minnesota. He helped set up the Grange in Minnesota, creating 37 local groups. He moved back to Washington, D.C., in 1870, but he stayed active in the Grange.
The farmhouse you see today was built in 1876. It stands on the same spot where the original Kelley family home was. The Kelley family owned the farm until 1901. Later, in 1935, the National Grange bought the farm. They gave it to the Minnesota Historical Society in 1961.
Visiting the Farm Today
When you visit the Oliver Kelley Farm, you can step back in time. Guides dressed in old-fashioned clothes show you around. They even invite visitors to help with farm chores! You might get to pick vegetables, churn butter, or make soap. It's a fun way to see what farm life was like long ago.
Keeping the Farm Alive
In 2003, the farm faced a challenge. There wasn't enough money to keep it open. So, a group called "Friends of the Kelley Farm" was formed. They worked hard to raise money and keep the historic site running. This group also helps with the farm's educational programs and makes sure the site is preserved.
New Additions to the Farm
In 2017, the Minnesota Historical Society opened some exciting new areas. They added a new visitor center and a modern "Farm Lab." This new area includes a barn, a garden, and fields for crops.
These new parts, along with Kelley's historic 1860s farm, let visitors learn even more. You can explore farming history from the 1860s all the way to how farms work today.
See also
