Walnut Grove Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant

10/24/2025

Shirley Knakmuhs was a very influential person with our Walnut Grove Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant. In 1978 the show began in the Walnut Grove High School and Shirley was there helping get the show on the road as producer. In 1978 Shirley played the role of Mrs. Oleson and she did that role for 17 years. Those of us who have been around the pageant for many years can still hear Shirley reciting her lines as Maragret Oleson. Shirley also played the part of Margaret Kennedy for 4 years, Maria Clark Bedal for 2 years and was listed as a Waltzer in 2003-2004.

In 1985 the Pageant Singers were formed, and Shirley was there singing along with 7 others at pageant performances and other social events. Shirley was a part of the Pageant Singers for 10 years singing alongside her son Kerry and daughter-in-law Becky for several years and many other local talents.

From Bill Richards "Shirley certainly was a huge promoter and cheerleader in creating the museum and the Wilder Pageant."

Our accolades to Shirley for all she did to help build the Walnut Grove Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant into what is has become today.

10/23/2025

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Knakmuhs family. Shirley will always be remembered for her roles as Mrs. Oleson and Mrs. Kennedy. Her support of the pageant and the many years she sang with The Pageant Singers.

Search recent and past obituaries for Redwood Falls, Tracy, Walnut Grove, and Westbrook Minnesota. You can search by name, locaiton or death date.

10/23/2025

Today in Walnut Grove is definitely a fall day. Frost showed up overnight.

Most gardens are done and made ready for winter. Outside work now will be raking leaves, tidying up yards and putting away anything we won't be using over winter. In Walnut Grove snow can come anytime now.

The Ingalls in Walnut Grove would have had harvest completed probably a month ago. They would be getting ready for the long cold winters by stockpiling wood for the fire for cooking and heating the home. Remember there were not as many trees in Walnut Grove in the 1870's. in "On the Banks of Plum Creek" by Laura Ingalls Wilder in Chapter 35 "Keeping House" Laura wrote about pa gathering wood from old plum trees and willow trees.

10/22/2025

In next year's Walnut Grove Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant "Chasing the dream Act 1 scene 3 "Nellie's Town Party" Laura, Mary & Carrie go to Oleson's store to celebrate Nellie's birthday. Of course, Nellie shows up fashionably late.

In real life Walnut Grove, the Owens' lived above the store. In Dan Peterson's book "The Story of Walnut Grove, Minnesota 1873-2022" (This is a great book if you want to learn about the "real" Walnut Grove.) Dan writes "Wilder wrote of the store:.......They had such wonderful toys, tops, and jumping jacks and beautiful picture books. It was a treat to see such toys, though they would not let us play with them. Nellie had the most wonderful doll she kept wrapped in soft paper most of the time...."

In our production Nellie and the rest of the girls learn about the doll and other toys the Oleson children have.

10/17/2025

In next year's Walnut Grove Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant "Chasing the Dream" Act One Scene 2 "Growing up Nellie". We are introduced once again to the Oleson family who owned a mercantile.

In 1875 William Oleson (William Ownes in real life) in fact did travel to Chicago to sell cattle. This left Margaret home alone to take care of the store and the children. In this scene the Oleson's are talking about William leaving when the Ingalls family come to do some shopping.

In Laura Ingalls Wilder book: On the Banks of Plum Creek" she writes of going to town and the store. Even though Walnut Grove was only about a 2-mile drive for the Ingalls this was pretty much an all-day affair, a wagon traveled about 2 miles per hour thus making the Ingalls trip about 1 hour just to get to town. In pioneer days it was not common to go to town on a whim.

10/16/2025

The Walnut Grove Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant strives to make our show as entertaining as possible yet retain the historical correctness with the real family names and timelines when the Ingalls lived in Walnut Grove. We wish for everyone who comes to see the show takes a piece of our story home with them in their hearts.

We would like to hear from you. We take your comments seriously and adjust the script accordingly for future performances. Please let us know your thoughts or suggestions. What is your favorite/least favorite parts of the show, the grounds or anything else pertaining to the show?

When you come to see our show, you are directed to a QR code in our program where you can take a short survey to tell us your thoughts. We use those comments to rewrite the scripts and make the shows better and better. We know everyone wants your opinion these days in the form of a survey, but for us they really do help, and we do listen. In the future would you rather take a paper survey or use the QR method?

10/15/2025

Next season at the Wilder Outdoor Theater near Walnut Grove, Mn we will perform part two of the three-part trilogy. (It is not necessary to see them in succession) "Chasing the Dream"

"Chasing the Dram' takes place between the years of 1875-1876. The Ingalls had built their new home along Plum Creek near the dugout site. They had settled into the community making new friends, helping to build a church, and survived fires and grasshoppers.

We left 2025 shows with the building of a new house for the Ingalls. in 2026 the show opens at the Ingalls homestead with "Old" Laura narrating, Charles, Caroline, Mary, Laura, Carrie and the Nelson's who have come to visit. The talk is of the new house and all the help who came to build it. Mary & Laura are checking a fish trap and Carrie and Anna are playing. Oleana and Caroline are catching up as well. Charles and Eleck put the finishing touches on the house.

Please join us in July 2026 to follow the Ingalls life as they lived in Walnut Grove in 1875. Ticket and show information will be coming in January 2026.

10/14/2025

On this rainy Tuesday harvest is looking ever nearer to finished for the year. Fields are being harvested and tillage has begun. There are very few fields of sugar beets or soybeans left to harvest in Redwood County and by the looks of the corn fields it will not be long before they are gone as well. The small grains have been harvested for a while now.

Charles' harvest consisted mainly of wheat and prairie grass; what was left after the grasshopper plagues. For many pioneers the wheat was either sold or used to grind into flour for their personal use and to use the straw for bedding for the animals, twisting it tightly and burning it for heat or making mattresses. The prairie grass pa cut and stacked to be used to feed the animals until spring. Charles did not have large machinery or hundreds of acres of land.

In the Walnut Grove Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant, we portray Charles and Eleck Nelson working and talking about "when the crop comes in". This is in the scene "New Neighbors". In Laura Ingalls Wilder's book "On the Banks of Plum Creek", she talks of Pa working for Mr. Nelson and getting a cow.

Below are some photos taken today near Walnut Grove of the harvest and of the "New neighbors" scene this past summer

10/10/2025

In our Walnut Grove Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant in the Scene titled "Mankato", Charles leaves the homestead to travel east to Mankato to find work harvesting the crops. The grasshopper had not traveled that far east.

In the late 1870's harvest around Walnut Grove would have been pretty much over by now, if there was anything left after the grasshoppers took everything. According to Laura Ingalls Wilder's book "On the Banks of Plum Creek" in Chapter 29: "The Darkest Hour is Just Before Dawn" Pa has returned home after walking east to find work helping with the harvest there as the grasshoppers had not gone that far east. In the first paragraph Laura wrote about the weather being colder and about frost covering the ground and later about sleety rain.

Walnut Grove has not had a frost yet this year. The weather seems to be predicting the upper 20's for a low next week so a frost may be on its way to Walnut Grove.

10/08/2025

The trees are turning in Walnut Grove and around the surrounding area. The farmers are well into harvest with much of the bean crop out and the corn is starting to come out as well. The fields are beginning to look empty, and the trees are starting to shed their leaves.

Surly this is a sign of fall with winter on the horizon. Many forecasters are giving the area a 50/50 chance of a snowier/colder weather. Well, that's as clear as mud. As with most Minnesotans we will just roll with it and take what mother nature gives us. We know winter doesn't last forever so for now enjoy the changing colors, the ever-changing temperatures, and already less mosquitos and other biting insects.

10/08/2025

We’re thrilled to announce our Raise the Roof Coffee Fundraiser with our friends at Half Pint Coffee Co.
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As you begin your day with a warm cup of coffee, you’ll also be helping us preserve history. Every sip supports our Raise the Roof project, ensuring our beloved historic depot has the protection it needs. Together, we can shelter treasured artifacts and displays for generations to come. ❤️
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📅 October 8 – November 30
📦 Shipping available OR pick-up at Half Pint Coffee Co.
📩 You’ll receive an email when your order is ready.
☕ Coffee options: whole bean, ground, or K-cups (½ lb, 1 lb, or 12-pack). Roast options: Light, Medium, Dark, and Decaf.
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👉 Place your order here: https://bit.ly/RaisetheRoofLIWMuseumWalnutGrove
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From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of this story.

10/06/2025

Saturday was a workday at the Wilder Outdoor Theater.

It was windy to say the least, but we were able to get some things done with the help of Daryl, Ethan, Bill, Steve, Rick & Lori.

Liquids were put into storage, so they won't freeze over winter, fencing was taken down and stored away until next year, the doors were put back on the new restrooms (which will be getting cement floor poured after harvest), outdoor light bulbs were taken out and stored, the water was shut off and drained at the concession stand.

More still needs to be done; board up Oleson's Store, shut off water to backstage restrooms (waiting for the construction people to leave for the winter) cover the hay rack/pews that will be made into a people hauler this spring.

Sorry Daryl, you got away before I could take your picture.

Thanks to those who came out to help and brave the wind.