Meet Laura Ingalls Wilder

Meet Laura Ingalls Wilder is the first-person living history program I developed as my original solo endeavor, established in 2008. From that time to the present, I have delivered over 200 public presentations around the country in the persona of the world famous children’s author circa 1895.

Historian Melanie Stringer, presenting in character as author Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867-1957) might have been, c. 1895.
Photo copyright: Connie Ryle Neumann, 2012. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.

These presentations are grounded in over two decades of research, using primary and secondary sources, to help educate the public about numerous topics in American history and literature through the conduit of a legendary and controversial figure. For more information, visit my website and blog: www.MeetLIW.com or follow my LIW-related work on social media:

Facebook: @MeetLIW

Instagram: @MeetLIW

Twitter: @MeetLIW

  • “Mrs. Wilder” at Old Sturbridge Village, MA. Image Copyright Dakota Yankee Research, 2016.
  • Late Victorian setting, c. 1885. From the collection of Melanie Stringer/Dakota Yankee Research, 2020.
  • “Mrs. Wilder at the Carding Mill Window” Old Sturbridge Village, MA. Image Copyright Peter F. Stringer, 2010.
  • “Mrs. Wilder” at Genesee Country Village. Image Copyright Kevin Holton, 2013.
  • “Mrs. Wilder” at Ingalls Homestead, DeSmet, SD. Image Copyright Sue M. Poremba, 2012.
  • “Meet Laura Ingalls Wilder” Image Copyright Dakota Yankee Research, 2014.
  • “Mrs Wilder” with historian Bill Anderson, Mumford, NY. Image Copyright Deborah Stankevich, 2012.
  • “Mrs. Wilder” at Almanzo Wilder Farm, NY. Image Copyright Dakota Yankee Research, 2011.
  • “Mrs. Wilder” with a hatchling, Circle View Farm, Interior, SD. Image Copyright Amy K. Kruse, 2013.
  • “Mrs. Wilder” Greeting Sheep at Old Sturbridge Village, MA. Image Copyright Peter F. Stringer, 2010.
  • c.1773-4 Meetinghouse, Sandown, NH. Image Copyright Melanie Stringer/Dakota Yankee Research, 2016.
  • “Mrs. Wilder” at Ingalls Homestead, DeSmet, SD. Image Copyright Sue M. Poremba, 2012.
  • Moses Wilder Blacksmith Shop. Image Copyright Katherine S. Stringer, 2015.
  • Pactola Lake, South Dakota. Image Copyright Melanie Stringer/ Dakota Yankee Research, 2015.
  • Ingalls Memorial Library, Rindge, NH. Image Copyright Melanie Stringer/Dakota Yankee Research, 2016.
  • “Mrs. Wilder” at the Ingalls Dugout site, Plum Creek, Walnut Grove, MN. Image Copyright Connie R. Neumann, 2012.