South Dakota Students Help Start Society

When the Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society was founded in May of 1957 the members had little more than a love for Laura Ingalls Wilder's books and a knowledge of where some of the sites she mentioned were located.

The first project of the newly founded Society was the erection of a memorial rock with a plaque on one corner of the orignal land the Ingalls family homesteaded. Children from across South Dakota raised and donated money to help fund the project.  Each school received a certificate and the knowledge that they had helped preserve a piece of history.  "The response was electrifying," said Alice Kirchmeier, a founding member.  The memorial rock still stands today in memory of Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family.

Now you can be a part of preserving the great heritage of Laura Ingalls Wilder.  The First school of De Smet attended by Laura and Carrie Ingalls in 1880 and 1881 in undergoing restoration.  

Each class that donates to the project will receive a Designated Honorary Member Certifiate.  A photo of your entire class will become part of a permanent exhibit in the School.