Admissions and Hours

Burr Oak is often referred to as “The Missing Link” in the Little House book series. Come and learn about Laura’s life in Burr Oak, Iowa, as a nine year old girl, as well as that of her family. Hear her stories that fit in between her books On the Banks of Plum Creek and By the Shores of Silver Lake, the loss of her nine-month old brother, Freddy, and the joy in the birth of her youngest sister, Grace. Visitors will also view examples of pioneer life in the 1870s and of Burr Oak at the time of the Ingalls family.

Your visit begins in the Laura Ingalls Wilder Park & Museum Visitor’s Center, where you will register for your tour. Knowledgeable guides will then lead you through the Masters Hotel across the street, where the Ingalls lived and worked in 1876. They will share Laura’s stories about her family, her time in the hotel and Burr Oak, her impressions of people that she met, and her responsibilities in Burr Oak. The tours last 45-60 minutes in length.

This is a guided tour only. Walk-throughs are not allowed.
There are no set times for tours to begin. We take our guests as they are ready, however you may have a 15 minute wait if another group is ahead of you.
Full price is charged for any late tour (after 3:00 or 4:00 – refer to the museum hours), and then is possible only if a staff person is available.
The main floor of the museum is wheel chair accessible. The bottom floor is accessible by use of the sidewalk leading to the back of the building. The top floor is not accessible by wheel chair. The Visitor’s Center is accessible by a side door.
If there are 10 or more in your group, it is best to call ahead and reserve a time at 563-735-5916.
The month of May is very busy in the mornings with school field trips. It is best to plan a mid-afternoon visit during this month.
Please do not text, receive or make calls during your tour, in consideration of your guide and the other guests. Smoking is not permitted in either building.

RVs may park parallel to the sidewalk just south of the museum on 236th Ave. adjacent to the vacant lot. If coming into town from the south, just pull into the driveway at the storage sheds north of the museum on 236th Ave and head south. Guests will then be able to exit the RV onto the sidewalk near the museum.

The Burr Oak Savings Bank building was built in 1910. It was restored and opened as the Laura Ingalls Wilder Park & Museum Visitor’s Center in 2004, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Your visit to Burr Oak and the Masters Hotel begins here.

The Visitors’ Center houses the original bank vault which now includes story boards of the history of the building and the restoration process. Fun Fact: this building was the location for the first bank robbery in the county!

You will find a large selection of books and souvenirs including dolls, mugs, games and so much more in the gift shop. Don't forget to get your copy of Laura's Little House on the Prairie books stamped with our location's info. Collect your copies from all the historical sites.

You may enjoy reading copies of letters Laura wrote to her fans, picking up brochures from other sites of interest, and visiting with the staff and other guests. While you are here, please sign our guest book and add a pin for your hometown to the world map.

Admissions

Museum Hours

Opens May 1, 2025:

June, July August 2025:

September - Mid October (will be posted by Oct. 1, 2025):

The Tour

Tips to help make your visit more enjoyable:

The Visitor's Center