United for Libraries to dedicate Wilder Homestead a Literary Landmark™

BRYN MAWR, PENNSYLVANIA — United for Libraries, in partnership with the New York Library Association, Empire State Center for the Book, and HarperCollins Publishers, will designate the Wilder Homestead in Burke, N.Y., a Literary Landmark™ during a celebration on Saturday, July 11.

The Homestead, the setting for Laura Ingalls Wilder’s “Farmer Boy” (1933), is where Laura’s husband Almanzo grew up from 1857 until his family moved to a farm in Minnesota in 1875.

A bronze plaque will be unveiled during the celebration in conjunction with the Homestead’s Children’s Art Event (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)  There will be art activities for children and 19th century games, along with an awards ceremony for the children’s art show.  The public is invited to hear William Anderson, award-winning author and historian, speak about the Ingalls/Wilder family homes.  Museum admission applies to this event.

Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867-1957) first wrote about her childhood growing up on the American frontier in “Little House in the Big Woods” (1932).  “Farmer Boy” was the second title in her “Little House” series.  The farmhouse is the only “Little House” venue still on its original property.  The Homestead includes the original Wilder home with period furnishings and an 1860s-era one-room schoolhouse that was added in 2013.

The Friends of Libraries Section of the New York Library Association (NYLA) initiated the application for the Wilder Homestead, and all eight divisions of NYLA contributed the cost of the plaque in honor of NYLA’s 125th anniversary in 2015.

For more information about the dedication, visit www.almanzowilderfarm.com.

The Literary Landmark program is administered by United for Libraries. More than 150 Literary Landmarks across the United States have been dedicated since the program began in 1986. Any library or group may apply for a Literary Landmark through United for Libraries. More information is available on the United for Libraries website. 

United for Libraries: The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations, is a division of the American Library Association that supports those who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for libraries. United for Libraries brings together library trustees, advocates, friends and foundations into a partnership that creates a powerful force for libraries in the 21st century. For more information or to join United for Libraries, visit the United for Libraries website or contact Jillian Kalonick at (312) 280-2161 or jkalonick@ala.org.