2012 Event Calendar

The schedule for the 2012 season of special events at the Wessels Living History Farm has been set. The admission price for visiting the farm and special events is $5.00 for adults, $4.00 for senior citizens and $2.00 for children. The farm can also be rented for parties, reunions, weddings and other special events. The Farm is located one mile south of I-80 on Highway 81 at York. Call Dale Clark for details at 402-710-0682.

• Tuesday May 1 – Opening Day at the Farm regular open hours begin, Monday-Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sundays from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.
• Sunday June 3 – Family Fun Day, 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.
• Thursday June 21 – Touring 100 Model T's, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Sundays July 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 – Special events to be announced.
• Sunday August 12 – Living History Day, 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.
• September – Yorkshire Playhouse Melodrama, times and dates to be announced.
• Saturday through Sunday October 6 & 7 – Tractor, Engine and Auto Show, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Saturday October 6 – Barn Dance, 4:30 p.m. to dark.
• Sunday October 21 – Boo on the Farm, 1:30 to 4:00 p.m.
• Saturday Dec. 8 through Sunday Dec. 23 – Christmas on the Farm, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. each day.

Farming in the 1970s to Today

Too often, we think of history as "100 years ago, or at least 10 years ago." But history actually began 10 minutes ago. A lot has changed in the last 40 years, and a new section of the Web Site explores those changes in rural America. In the left hand navigation pane, you'll find a new button that will take you to the new section. These were tumultuous times. A farm boom in the 70s led to a bust in the 80s when many over-extended farmers lost their livelihoods and their land. Those who were left were forced to get bigger or get out. Those who made it finally achieved parity in income with their urban neighbors. This was a time when ag technology made astounding discoveries in genetics, machinery and computers. Pesticides became more sophisticated and, ironically, some consumers started demanding food without chemicals. In pop culture, rural America was portrayed as either a nostalgic refuge from modern life or as a threatening place filled with sadistic perverts. And farmers began raising fuel in addition to their traditional crops for food and fiber. When you enter the new section of the Web Site, just click on one of the thematic buttons across the top, and then follow the stories in the left hand navigation.

Underwriting for the Wessels Living History Farm has also been provided by these Silver Donors:

Recognized! Outstanding Tourist Attraction in Nebraska

The Wessels Living History Farm has been named the "Outstanding Tourism Attraction" in the state by the Nebraska Travel and Tourism agency. The annual award is given to a Nebraska tourist attraction that has worked toward the continued success and growth of it community and the tourism industry in the state. The Farm has increased its annual attendance at the physical site to over 8,000 visitors a year. Visitors have come from 49 states and 21 foreign countries. Memberships have grown to over 200. There are now nine buildings on the Farm site south of York. And the Farm's educational programs have kept the Farm open six days a week for seven months with a full schedule of special events during the other months. In addition, this Web site has now reached over 6.1 million visitors from all over the world. They have read through over 11.2 million page views, and the site's movies have been viewed over 1.2 million times.
     The Wessels Living History Farm Web site was also recognized as one of the "one of the best online resources for education in the humanities" by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). In 2007, a panel of reviewers voted to include this site on EDSITEment, a gateway to the highest quality humanities-related educational content on the Internet. We have more about this honor here. This recognition prompted the Omaha World Herald to say we are "A Virtual Must-See." In addition, we continue to receive messages from folks across the country who are using the content and learner resources we offer. We've got excerpts from some of these e-mails here. It's heartening to know that the material we're working hard to provide is being used and appreciated – by 6.3 million visitors like you since 2003. Thanks!

Featured Movies and Slide Shows

• On the Media Resources page, we have a new set of Video Podcasts with former U.S. Poet Laureate Ted Kooser about rural themes, along with a new podcast about the history of the Omaha Stock Yards.
• A 1920s threshing day when neighbors gather to bring in the wheat harvest.
• A modern corn harvest, presented here in a 30-second time lapse movie.
• What does it take to build a center pivot irrigation system?

The 1920s section of this site was developed by the Interactive Media Unit of Nebraska Educational Telecommunications.
The 1930s, 1940s, 1950s-60s and 70s to Today sections were developed by The Ganzel Group Communications of Lincoln, Nebraska.

This Web Site is optimized for browsers like Firefox and Safari. In either of those browsers, Windows users will be able to view our video content. Microsoft stopped supporting IE for QuickTime content or the Mac in 2001. Using any other browser should provide an optimal experience. You can download Firefox for free here. Thanks.

Looking for the Living History Farms in Urbandale Iowa? Click here. [http://www.lhf.org]