Iowa's Living History Farm

We spent five days in the Des Moines, IA area, mostly shopping (they had both a Costco & a Walmart … Whoo Hoo!), drinking Starbucks (the first one we have seen in about 2 months) and doing other mundane stuff (laundry --- in our new washer/dryer and getting Cody groomed).  We also continued with our geocaching and found our first small cache in a camouflaged film canister.

 The outside of the Machine Shed Restaurant

Porch of the Shed Restaurant

 Porch of the Shed Restaurant

On our last day in the area we saw a sign for the “Living History Farm” and decided to explore.  We stopped for lunch first at the Machine Shed Restaurant that is located adjoining the Farm.  Ate some of the most delicious sandwiches we have found, with homemade potato chips, slaw, soup, and pie.  The pie was great!  Lynda had cherry and I had the banana cream … ummmm.  Instead of the standard 7 or 8 inch pie, theirs is 11 inches …  big and delicious too!

Back to the Farm … the Living History Farm has four parts, in addition to the museum:  An 1875 Town, a 1776 Ioway Indian village, an 1850’s farm, and a 1900 farm.  Each part has costumed docents that can tell you all about the time period and how people lived in central Iowa during that time.  In addition, the farms are working farms that are worked using period farm implements.

Our favorite farm was the 1900s farm and we took a lot of pictures of that period.  If you are in the area around Des Moines, this is a must see.  Enjoy the pics.

The outskirts of the historic town

 House in the town

Drug Store in the Town

Kim Outside the Town Law Office

The Bank at Walnut Hill (Name of the Town)

One of the Town's Churches

Transportation to the Farms

Lynda at the beginning of the trail to the Farms

The Barn at the 1900's Farm

The out-buildings and windmill at the 1900's Farm (Windmill is used to pump water from the well)

Draft horses are used at the farm for plowing, seeding, etc.

Back in Town at the local School -- School was required from October through May for 4 hours a day

That all for now ... Until next time ... Do what you love!