WESTBROOK, Minnesota (STPNS) --     Walnut Grove — The Wilder Museum staff has been working on the final stage of a three stage expansion project. The project has tripled the space for the gift shop and visitor center. Plus additional space has been added for product storage close to the display floor.

    The front of the building also features a completely remodeled  entrance designed like an 1880’s store front.

    The expansion allows for many new items to be displayed in the  gift shop. Also customers and staff will enjoy the added space for browsing and working.



    On Memorial Day the museum will hold an open house starting at 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Monday.

    The museum is virtually an evolving piece of work with constantly updated displays and special interest displays.

    Collections manager, Nicole Elzenga, is always busy updating and changing displays. She said, “we moved the veterans display to the Heritage building to make space for  quilt exhibit in Grandma’s House.”

    The quilt exhibit features a wide variety of quilts mostly from local quilters and families. Quilts are spread out through out the museum.

    Elzenga is currently working on a display that will feature a collection of original Garth Williams illustrations from Laura Ingalls Wilder’s book “On the Banks of Plum Creek.” The museum recently held a fund raising campaign raising over $4,000 for the museum to bid on the Williams art.

    Elzenga has also set up a special display featuring photos and other items from the two Little House stars that will be coming to visit Walnut Grove during the Wilder Pageant in July.

    Charlotte Stewart who played “Miss Beadle” in the television series, will be coming July 14 and 15. Stewart has never been to visit Walnut Grove before.

    Also coming to Walnut Grove is Alison Arngrim who played “Nellie Oleson” in the  television series, will be coming July 20, 21, 22. Arngrim is no stranger to Walnut Grove, Arngrim has visited three times before. Arngrim will also be in Mankato  on Friday July 13 for her one woman show at the MSU campus in Mankato.

    So if you are an old fan or have never been to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum, this is a great chance to see all that is new in the museum. Why not top off your Memorial Day with a visit.