Dean Butler, better known to “Little House on the Prairie” fans as Almanzo Wilder, will be the guest celebrity at this year’s Laura Ingalls Wilder Days August 5 and 6 as Genesee Country Village & Museum celebrates the writings of one of the most popular writers of 19th-century frontier life.
The entire museum is turned over to activities that Laura would have experienced, from churning butter, spelling lessons or creating handkerchief dolls to classic 19th-century games like sack races, tug-of-war or playing in a haystack.
The Canada-born Butler will offer special presentations at noon both days and answer questions about his experience on “Little House.” An autograph session will follow from 2 to 4 p.m. and includes a photo opportunity. Autograph tickets ($15) will be available beginning at 10 a.m. each day and must be pre-purchased. Photos for signing cost $2.
In addition, author Pamela Smith Hill, widely recognized as editor of Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography and author of Laura Ingalls Wilder: A Writer’s Life, will be on hand both days with a special 2 p.m. presentation and complimentary book-signing sessions.
Youngsters are invited to dress as their favorite “Little House” character.
Beginning in season six, Butler served as Laura’s love interest and eventual husband, appearing in 65 episodes of the classic series that was based on the nine Little House on the Prairie books. The series has continued in re-runs since it completed airing in 1982.
The real Almanzo Wilder was born on a farm near Malone in northern New York, the basis for his future wife’s book Farmer Boy. The Wilder family left Malone in 1870 and moved west, where in De Smet, SD, Almanzo first met Laura Ingalls. She would write about their courtship and subsequent 1885 marriage in The Long Winter, Little Town on the Prairie, These Happy Golden Years and The First Four Years.
Butler currently works with NBC’s Golf Channel, where he is a producer of the award-winning interview series, “Feherty,” starring David Feherty.
Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Provided information
