living history farms

Living History Farms just west of Des Moines gives visitors the opportunity to see agriculture being practiced at many different times in Iowa's history. Guides dressed in custom are working as you walk around answer questions at the same time. The log cabin was a personal favorite, but seeing the old equipment in operation was wonderful.

This was an excellent evening. We celebrated our anniversary here. A historic Victorian dinner was served at the Tangen House at Living History Farms. We learned the Victorian culture of entertaining and enjoyed a wonderful meal served family style in the dining room. This was an evening meal so the house was lit with lamplight. Very nice and we enjoyed meeting the other couples that ate with us also. They told us about our meal as they served and we got to play parlor games also. Will definitely do this again.

Extended family took us here, and we were rather unsure with two young kids how it would go. It was great fun for all of us, aged between 1 and 74. There are a variety of display areas, good food, and nice outdoor walking. Never boring, and a good night's sleep afterward. A word of caution if you have little ones, you will need to carry them for some or most of the walking bits, due to tiredness. Enjoy it at a leisurely pace. A fascinating learning experience.

I would urge any parent out there to take their kids just once if nothing else. Where would we be if not for our history!? Take your walking shoes, bottle of water (if in the summer) and a good sense of history. Yes, it has it faults and is not perfect but then again who of us is perfect. They were having a wedding in the church there so really did not get to tour that but the rest was wonderful.

Living History Farms provide a glimpse into the past highlighting three farms from different eras. The farms are operated as they would have been in the 1800 and 1900s. Children are provided hands on learning from farming with horses and they can even experience a one room school house. Their teachers often have them memorize a poem to be recited for the class and the teacher, who can be a bit intense. She is really a loving woman, but the appearance of a solemn schoolmarm is fun to watch. A real mid 1900s town allows the visitors to see how hand set printing of documents was accomplished, see a hat being constructed, buy penny candy and much more.Living History Farms are a jewel to be cherished.

Visiting Living History Farms is like traveling back in time. You really get a sense of what an 1870's town and farm was like. When you go, be sure and buy some Sarsaparilla and lemon drops. I can't wait to visit again.

Went with a school tour and it was bad. Maybe just because it was tour but I'm not sure. I felt EXTREMELY rushed.

I wish I had allowed myself more time for our visit to the Living History Farm. We only had three hours and could easily have spent three more. The buildings here gave me a good feel for what life was like in small town Iowa back in the days when my Grandpa and Grandma were growing up there. I was especially impressed with the staff people working as costumed docents in each building. They all really knew their stuff and were very informative. Thanks to the lady in the printing shop who let my husband, who is blind, touch the items in the shop and get a "feel" for the printing business. And thanks to the lady who re-opened the bank after closing time so I could step inside and see the type of building my Grandpa used to work in. We have traveled a lot and visited many similar sites, but this was an unexpected gem.

From the Native American Indian Village through several other homesteads and village, this was a great experience. Our family included hare 3-10, and they all found it fascinating. We actually visited twice in one month and learned something new each time! The kids had a great time. We lunched by the Flynn Mansion, and completed our day in the town. Knowledgeable guides/docents involve the children. A great way to spend a day.

I hadn't been here in 20 years or so, but I returned for another look. This time my wife was with me. She hadn't seen it before. It was pretty much as I remembered. There are 3 pioneer farms, each from a different time period in Iowa. From any of the farms, it's impossible to see the others. As you walk from one to another, it's like stepping through a time warp into another time period. There is also a wonderful village of old homes and commercial buildings, most moved there from their original locations. The furnishings are great, the costumed guides at each venue do an excellent job explaining what they're doing and something about the time period. It's a great trip, especially fun and educational for kids. I look forward to going back again someday.

My nephew lives in Urbandale and this is a place where he brings the kids for a history lesson. While we feel it is geared for the young, everyone gets the experience of a farm life in different era's. Each area has different demonstrations to watch and some hands on events. The people in each area are dressed in period outfits.

Very interesting how they have farms from different time periods. People dressed in the period are very informative and answer all questions. Our 11 year old was really interested and we all enjoyed.

I had fun at Living History Farms when I was a kid and enjoyed it just as much at twenty years later. There are several different farms depicting different time periods. There is also a town with lots of buildings that you can go into and see demonstrations. Some of the demonstrations that you can see are broom making, cabinetmaking, and a blacksmith shop. LHF also hosts the largest cross country race every November. I have ran this race 3 times and have had more fun each time! It is a thrill to see over 8,000 runners going through fields, mud, and water. This is a 7 mile run through the different farms, up steep hills, across waist-deep creeks, and ending in the old town.

I have been a huge fan of Living History Farms over the years, and whenever visitors arrive from out of town, this has been one of our go-to places. I visited today and both my guest and I were disappointed - for the first time. But first the good stuff. The farms (1700, 1850 and 1900) do a great job of displaying the agricultural history of Iowa. Signs along the path between farms provide historical context of various events. Staff at each farm operate the farm in rough accordance with the period and are usually helpful and well informed. The townsite has a wide array of businesses to see, as well as a period mansion and barn. And, you can buy real sarsaparilla!! So, all in all, it is a great facility for the state.However, as my guest observed today, it seems like the farms are a bit "down in the mouth" or bedraggled. The staff were not as engaging as normal; indeed, I was particularly disappointed to see members of staff standing around talking among themselves, rather than doing their normal chores and engaging visitors. The gardens at all farms were in terrible shape, with more weeds than vegetables or flowers. The Ossabaw pigs at the 1850 farm were up to their bellies in mud, with a dry empty pen available right beside them.There used to be a path containing various varieties of corn and soybeans, illustrating the evolution of the plants. These have disappeared and even the descriptive signs are in a terrible state of repair. I am going to guess that the facility has budget woes, but reducing displays and staff involvement is not way to attract more people. Indeed, I will think twice before returning, as my guest this time, well familiar with farming and its history, was less than impressed.

Went here during recent visit to Des Moines and enjoyed it. Quite a few things to see and do. Several eras of farms are part of the location and you get to see a glimpse of how things used to be. The oldest 1700 "farm" depicted was a bit odd and somewhat disappointing. It was a very small area with a tee pee and small grass covered hut and some weeds labeled as plants but after that the rest was good. Kids got to milk a cow see very rustic conditions from other periods. Town area was good to walk through and the house from the original owner of the property should not be missed.