Credited with bringing United States farmers together, Oliver Kelley played an important role in Minnesota and national agriculture. A visit to his family’s historic 1860’s farm was the last summer visit on our 6th Grade Minnesota History Pass Tour. The Oliver Kelley Farm is located just outside Elk River, MN. and gives a glimpse into life on a working farm in the mid-1800’s.
Upon our arrival at the Oliver Kelley farm, we first watched a short video in the visitor’s center . We then walked the path to the historic farm. Here we were able to tour the main level of the farm’s home including a bedroom and the kitchen. On this day, a staff member was making bread pudding and using the wood burning stove to dry bits of bread.
In addition to learning how to cook with a wood burning stove, the boys also learned about the types of food grown on the farm. We were able to walk through the expansive vegetable garden as well as tour the root cellar. The boys were able to make the connection between how crops make it from the garden to the table.
After the main house, we set off to explore the rest of the farmstead. The Oliver Kelly Farm has a hay loft and working water pump as well as many animals. We stopped to say hello to the cattle, pigs and goats and then tried carrying water from the well. It’s harder and heavier than it looks.
Our stop at Oliver Kelley Farm was just one of the fun and educational visits we made this summer while utilizing the 6th Grade Minnesota History Pass. We really enjoyed our time at the Minnesota State Capitol, the James J. Hill House, Lower Sioux Agency and Historic Fort Snelling.
Happy Adventuring, Rochelle