Our Impact
1970
Year founded.
100,327
Visitors in 2023.
$5.9M
Annual economic impact.
Mission
Living History Farms is an interactive outdoor history museum that educates and connects all people to the many stories of Midwestern rural heritage.
Experiences Provided
Guests travel back in time to experience life at three historic farm sites — the 1700 Ioway Farm, the 1850 Pioneer Farm and the 1900 Horse-Powered Farm — and the 1876 town of Walnut Hill. The Flynn Mansion and Barn, built on this site in the 1870s, are listed on the National Historic Register. Historic interpreters in period dress demonstrate farming, domestic life and trades, immersing visitors in each era.
Intergenerational and interactive experiences include museum visits, school field trips, special events such as Family Halloween and the Living History Farms Race, day camps, historic dinners and teas, historic skills classes, Barnyard Readers, book clubs and facility rentals for community events.
Ways to give
Cash gifts provide general operating support to all areas of the museum.
Bequests and legacies of all sizes provide vital sustaining support to assure that Living History Farms is here for generations to come.
Tribute gifts honor someone important in your life and support our mission.
Corporate and foundation partners lend support by sponsoring specific programs and making grants to support our operations.
The Cultivating Our Future Capital Campaign is nearing completion—more on the opposite page.
What are the most immediate needs to support your organization?
The Cultivating Our Future Capital Campaign will transform Living History Farms from a seasonal attraction to a year-round destination. A new Cultivation Center will double the modern indoor space at the entrance to the 500-acre campus and will house admissions, climate-controlled exhibit space, the museum store, offices and accessible amenities, including a family restroom, adult changing station and mother’s room. The current Visitor Center will become a Learning Center for day camp, school tours, historic skills classes, book clubs and more. You can help us close our campaign with your gift today.
Contact Jim Dietz-Kilen at 515-278-5286 x121, jdietz-kilen@LHF.org, CultivatingOurFuture.com.
Leadership Team
President - Ruth Haus
Co-director of programming - Janet Clair Dennis
Director of facilities and security - Joe Hart
Director of finance and administration - Brad Hodges
Director of community engagement - Stacie Hooker
Co-director of programming - Daniel Jones
Director of marketing and communications - Elizabeth Keest Sedrel