Malone Elks Lodge hosts lecture on the Wilder Homestead

The Malone Lodge of Elks in Burlington, Vermont, hosted a presentation on the history of the Wilder Homestead. The event brought together board members, volunteers, and residents with an interest in the regional literary landmark.

The homestead, located in Malone, is where Almanzo Wilder grew up during the 1860s. His family established a successful farm in the area. Almanzo later married Laura Ingalls Wilder, the author of the Little House book series. His childhood experiences in Malone inspired the 1933 novel Farmer Boy, the second book in the series.

The speaker, who frequently visits children's literary sites in Europe and the Northeastern United States, tailored the lecture to the specific interests of the Malone audience. While the prepared presentation originally concluded with the Wilder farm as a general example of a US literary site, the speaker expanded on the details to fit the local context.

The audience focused on the success and growth of the Wilder farm as a tourist destination. The speaker emphasized the authenticity of the property, noting that it sits on its original foundation. It is the actual house where Almanzo lived and where many events from the book took place.

The presentation compared the site to other locations in Germany. The speaker highlighted the genuine nature of the Wilder house, distinguishing it from tourist traps that lack historical accuracy. The gathering served as a forum for those dedicated to the preservation and promotion of this specific piece of literary heritage.