…an interdisciplinary public history project that doesn’t flinch at truth.
Laura Ingalls Wilder–both the historical person and the character she embodied in her works of fiction–has become, in many spaces, a default (and faulty) conduit through which people around the world have come to understand what (little) they (think they) know about American history. As an interdisciplinary public historian who has ruminated over Wilder’s works since childhood, I have led hundreds of discussions in person (especially in my Meet Laura Ingalls Wilder living history programs) and online where we break down aspects of Wilder’s life, experiences, and storytelling, to better understand what and how she was inspired to write and how those factors influence or undermine the historical accuracy of her many publications. In these guided discussions, I help audiences understand the world around the author and the characters she created (surprise! although her works are loosely based on biographical details, they are fiction, first and foremost!) by examining the historical, social, political, economic, cultural, and geographical context of her experiences and the stories she wrote about them.
Laura Ingalls Wilder in Context (LIW in Context) is the newest iteration of my ever-evolving study and presentation work that hones in on the influence and legacy of this controversial author. I’ve studied Wilder and her context through extensive research and numerous long term tours throughout the U.S., logging well over 100,000 miles of research travel–usually solo, and encompassing over 30 states–presenting nearly 300 programs devoted to Wilder since 2010. Always traveling, always learning.
Wilder is the reason I became a historian and museum professional, and the (often ugly) content and context of her life and work is the reason I continue working with her material as a means to dismantle the harmful tropes and mythology that pervade and misguide our understanding of American history. I don’t flinch from historical truths and I don’t sugarcoat the story. But I learn as you learn and I hope neither of us will ever stop learning!
In this work I present interactive educational programs and host both formal and informal guided discussions on Wilder in multiple formats. You can find me presenting these programs online or in-person, for public and private groups of all ages, interests, and audience sizes. Venues range from museums and libraries to book clubs and homeschool co-ops to university classrooms.
Learn more or book an event: Melanie@DakotaYankee.com or call 603-867-5320.
…more content on the way!
Meanwhile, find previews of Laura Ingalls Wilder in Context and Meet Laura Ingalls Wilder
on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook: @LIWinContext and @MeetLIW