Preservation
Living History Farms
11121 Hickman Rd
Urbandale, IA 50322
515-278-5286
[email protected]
http://www.livinghistoryfarms.org
Touch, See, Hear...
Living History Farms in Urbandale, Iowa, is an interactive, 500-acre outdoor museum that tells the amazing story of how Iowans transformed the fertile prairies of the Midwest over 300 years into the most productive farmland in the world. Living History Farms is an interactive outdoor history museum which educates, entertains and connects people of all ages to Midwestern rural life experiences.
Touch
Touch, play and engage at each of our three working farm sites: 1700 Ioway Indian Farm; 1850 Pioneer Farm; and 1900 Horse-Powered Farm — and at our 1875 Town of Walnut Hill, complete with a Blacksmith, General Store, Print Shop and Flynn Mansion and Barn, which are both on the National Register of Historic Places.
See
History comes to life as you set out on a self-guided visit. Our friendly, informative staff provide a unique learning environment of seasonal activities and demonstrations. They'll show you how Native Americans grew crops in the 1700s, how farmers used oxen to open the prairies in the 1850s, and how horses were used to revolutionize agriculture in the 1900s. Don't miss the hustle & bustle of the prospering 1875 Town of Walnut Hill.
Hear
The sounds of the Midwest fill your ears from the moment you arrive at Living History Farms. Listen for cows mooing, leaves rustling, birds chirping, children laughing and fire crackling in wood-burning ovens.
How to Visit
Living History Farms offers three "at your own pace" experiences to fit your unique schedule.
General Visit
This complete Town and Farm experience includes the 1875 Town of Walnut Hill, the Henry A. Wallace Exhibit Center, and all three farm sites, and can take anywhere between 3-4 hours to complete.
1900 Farm Visit
The 1900 Farm Visit is 2 to 3 hours and eliminates the walk from the 1700 Indian Farm to the 1850 Pioneer Farm. The tractor cart driver will drop you off at the 1900 Farm and pick you up at the Wallace Exhibit Center.
Town Only Visit
The Town Only Visit takes 2 hours or less and includes the entire 1875 Town of Walnut Hill.