Life on the Prairie Returns: Step Into History at Lawrence Welk Homestead

Step back in time and experience the rich history of North Dakota's German Russian heritage this summer. The Lawrence Welk Homestead, located northwest of Strasburg, is hosting a special event called Life on the Homestead on Sunday, June 7, from 10am to 4pm. Best of all, admission is free, and the whole family is welcome.

The day is packed with activities that bring early 20th-century farm life to vivid life. Guests can join a Tractor Trek, watch hands-on demonstrations, browse a vendor show, and enjoy live musical programming that fits right in at a site honoring one of America's most beloved bandleaders. Whether you're a history buff, a fan of Lawrence Welk, or simply looking for a great family outing, this event has something for everyone.

The Welk Homestead tells a compelling American story. Ludwig and Christina Welk immigrated from near Odessa, Russia, in 1893, part of a wave of nearly 120,000 Germans who left Russia for the United States between 1870 and 1920. They were drawn to North Dakota by the promise of affordable land, and like many of their neighbors, they built their lives in the south-central part of the state. The home they constructed in 1899 was made from batsa, dried mud brick, which was a traditional building method carried over from Russia. It still stands today as a remarkable example of German Russian architecture on the American prairie.

The Welk family farmed wheat, raised chickens, and kept dairy cows to make ends meet. Their sixth child, Lawrence Welk, was born on the farm on March 11, 1903. He grew up learning the accordion from his father and attended a local Catholic school where classes were taught in German. In 1924, Lawrence left the farm to chase a dream in music, and the rest, as they say, is history. His nationally televised variety show ran for an impressive 26 years, and reruns continue to air to this day.

The 6.11-acre site includes the original home, a summer kitchen, outhouse, blacksmith shop, granary, and a barn, all of which are open seasonally. A visit to the Welk Homestead is more than a trip to a historic site; it's a window into the immigrant experience, the pioneering spirit, and the heartland roots that shaped an American icon.

Don't miss Life on the Homestead on June 7!