We went to the Lake of the Ozarks for a family reunion and since we were so close we decided to drive down to Mansfield for a few hours. It was a nice end cap to all of Natalee's Little House reading and adventures. Laura and her husband Almanzo journeyed to Mansfield from De Smet and made it their home with their daughter Rose. We got to tour the farmhouse that they built and added on to as they had the funds - they really made a beautiful home for themselves.
We also got to see the Rock House - this was a Sears and Roebuck house that their daughter, Rose, bought for them (for $11K - quite a bit of money back then!) as they aged. She had it built on their property and added the rocks to the outside. It's beautiful even by today's standards.
Almanzo built these chairs for Laura. He specifically made them with extra wide arms so she could sit and write without being at a table. {true love}
They lived in the Rock House for 8 years before homesickness for their farmhouse set in and they moved back. Rose then had some updates done on the farmhouse (fridge, modern bathroom, etc). Before her mom's books became best sellers, Rose was devoted to taking care of her aging parents.
There was also a museum to tour that houses many of the original items from both Laura's family and Laura, Almanzo, and Rose. The one that brought tears to my eyes was Pa's beloved fiddle.
I think it's a beautiful thing that Laura's books were so beloved by the time she passed away that people immediately realized what an important historical figure she was and hung onto her things...clothes, dishes, furniture, and more. Her memory is precious to those that love her books and imagine themselves as a little Laura growing up. Thanks for teaching us all to love the adventure of life, Laura!
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