Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum Burr Oak, IA Wagon surrounded by wildflowers

Welcome

In 1876, when Laura was nine years old, the Ingalls family left Walnut Grove, Minnesota, after suffering through two years of grasshopper plagues. They traveled to Burr Oak, Iowa, to help manage the Masters Hotel, owned by their friend, William Steadman, also from Walnut Grove. Burr Oak is often referred to as “The Missing Link” in the Little House book series.

The Masters Hotel is the only childhood home of Laura Ingalls Wilder that remains on its original site. It is registered on the National Register of Historical Places.

Museum News

Two girls in pioneer costumes sit in a covered wagon outside a white building on a sunny day.

Meet the 2026-2027 Little Miss Lauras

Congratulations to Tianna Yoder of Decorah, Iowa, and Amirya Barys of DeWitt, Iowa, in earning the title of Little Miss …

Posted July 7, 2026 in Little Miss Laura
Illustration of a farmhouse with text: Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum, Burr Oak, Iowa.

TCUP Foundation Grant

TCUP FOUNDATION GRANT (Telephone Cooperative Unclaimed Property) The museum received a $2,000 grant from the TCUP Foundation. The grant will …

Posted April 8, 2026 in Fundraisers & Supporters

Upcoming Events

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From the Gift Shop

Two smiling girls holding orange kittens on the cover of "Old Town in the Green Groves.

Old Town in the Green Groves

$9.99
Illustration of a girl in front of a farmhouse with a horse and wagon on the cover of "The Iowa Story" book.

The Iowa Story

$6.95
The cover of "Pioneer Girl Annotated Autobiography" features a girl with braided hair writing in a notebook while seated in a grassy field.

Pioneer Girl Annotated Autobiography

$39.95

Our Business Sponsors

Thank you for supporting the Laura Ingalls Wilder Park & Museum.

Become A Sponsor

Logo for Casper PLBG & HTG. INC., Decorah, IA, with red and black lines and bold red "Casper" text.

Decorah Bank & Trust Co. and Cresco Bank logos with FDIC insured statement and a blue-and-orange graphic.

Logo of "irocwebs.com" with an orange and blue swoosh design integrated into the text.

A red sign logo for Letter Werks Sign City LLC, Decorah, Iowa, with bold white and yellow text.