Much of the credit for Iowa’s success and strength rests on the shoulders of the farming families who settled here. Through their tenacity, incredible work ethic, and ingenuity, they laid the foundation for our state to become one of the most productive states agriculturally in the nation. These characteristics remain in our farmers of today as well, but the methods and equipment that farmers use have changed astronomically from when Iowa was settled. Iowans are accustomed to seeing combines and tractors pulling grain carts at harvest time nowadays, but what did farming used to look like in Iowa? Thanks to Nelson Pioneer Farm in Iowa, that question has an answer.
If you’re curious what farming and community life looked like in the 1800s and 1900s, there’s no better place to learn about it than at Nelson Pioneer Farm in Oskaloosa.
This expansive property has 15 historical buildings such as a post office, a blacksmith shop, a general store, a log cabin, a one-room schoolhouse, a church, and a stately brick home built in the 1850s with a summer kitchen and washhouse.
Each building is a museum in and of itself, equipped with period tools and housewares. Many of the buildings were moved onto the site for preservation as well as to share their history with the community.
The property also boasts several barns and outbuildings to display an extensive collection of farming equipment and other tools that pioneers used. You’ll even find the graves of two mules, Jenni and Becky, who served in the Civil War!
In the museum proper, you’ll find gorgeous quilt collections on display, military paraphernalia, old musical instruments, gowns, children’s toys, and thousands of other items that preserve and display a fascinating portion of Iowa’s history.
During the summer, they also organize Laura Days with a plethora of activities from the Laura Ingalls Wilder era such as candle dipping and rug braiding. The farm regularly hosts the Dog Hollow Rendezvous and puts on an incredible annual Fall Festival with live demonstrations and activities.
Guests both young and old are in for a treat at this Iowa pioneer farm! Learn more at the Nelson Pioneer Farm website, and start planning a trip to Mahaska County today. Oskaloosa has plenty more to do as well.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
