Pioneer life

Living in a tiny, rustic home on an undeveloped farmstead has opened my eyes. I'm beginning to understand the pioneer woman!

I sometimes forget that my mom didn't grow up as a pioneer in late 1800s, but actually about 100 years later in the 1960s. All of her childhood stories always remind me more of an episode of Little House on the Prairie rather than the more suburban nostalgia we see on The Brady Bunch. Growing up on a farm, […]

What makes homesteaders and pioneers so special? Maybe the secret is in your own family history?

Food, glorious food, we’re anxious to try it… Okay, okay, I won’t sing anymore, but this is going to be fun and drool-inducing! I’ve been cooking since I was about 10 years old. As a cub scout, I had to cook three meals for my cooking badge (yes, that is a thing). These three meals ... Read more

The living museum exhibits at the settlement teach classes in blacksmithing, honey and maple syrup making, and all kinds of pioneer crafts.

Looking for the best pioneer recipes? These recipes were used by pioneers and now they can be used by your family.

Our Pioneers didn’t have running water or electricity when traveling the Oregon Trail. They got through using these pioneer items.

There has been a theme running in our family lately. While I have been working for years to establish order, routine, and organization in our lives, I have continually failed. I just couldn’t seem to make it work. But lately, we (my husband and I) have been analyzing why that is. The fact that we […]

Weather wisdom from the pioneer days, and earlier, can be surprisingly accurate. Take a look at what I've learned from my own observations.

What was it REALLY like to be a pioneer? Resources for teaching kids about pioneer life - an important piece of US History.