Prairie Tales

I kicked off an unusually busy (for me) weekend with a visit to one of my favorite newly rediscovered western New York attractions, Genesee Country Village & Museum, in the tiny town of Mumford (near Rochester). What was the occasion that got me up and out early on a Saturday morning? The museum's annual "Laura Ingalls Wilder Days," with special guest star Melissa Anderson, who played Mary Ingalls on the classic TV show, "Little House on the Prairie." As a true "LHOTP" nerd, there was no way I could miss it, especially since Anderson, who left showbiz when she left the show, rarely does "LHOTP" reunions or meet-and-greet fan sessions. (Although I haven't ruled out someday venturing out to Walnut Grove, MN, for its annual Ingalls/Wilder/"LHOTP" festivities, for now this will have to do!)

GCV&M (is that too many acronyms for one post?), if you haven't had the pleasure of visiting, is a lovely little historical time capsule featuring local houses, stores, and buildings from the 1800s, with both authentic and reconstructed furnishings. There's also an art gallery, a nature center, and nature trails, so there's something for everyone, including non-history buffs. I first visited the museum on a fourth-grade field trip and rediscovered it two years ago. It's funny to me how places seem smaller as you get taller, and that's true with GCV&M, but I'd say I have a greater appreciation today of the historical details than I did as a 10-year-old.

Anyway, besides seeing Melissa Anderson, the big weather-dependent item on my to-do list was a ride in the Intrepid, a tethered Civil War replica helium gas balloon. After skydiving without losing my shit (so to speak) a year ago, I figured I could easily handle a balloon ride. So I bought my ticket at the admissions window as soon as the museum opened for business and made a beeline for the balloon. Much to my surprise, not only was I the first one there, I was the only one there. Wasn't everyone clamoring to ride this thing, or was I the only crazy one there? Either way, I handed over my ticket and was clipped in (thankfully) and up in the air with my attending docent before I knew it (also thankfully).

The mighty Intrepid - ready to set sail.

I can't say I wasn't scared and my legs weren't wobbly, especially when I looked down from a height of approximately 250 feet, but I tried to focus on the amazing view of the entire village, surrounding hills, and even the NYS Thruway in downtown Rochester, instead of focusing on what might happen if I was thrown from the balloon's wicker basket.

The Intrepid next to one of GCV&M's most famous buildings, the Hyde House.

Once I was down and my legs stopped shaking, I was off to GCV&M's Village Square for a "LHOTP"-inspired kids' fashion show. I can honestly say I've never seen so many bonnets and pioneer dresses in my life. In fact, it was difficult to tell the museum's employees from the guests with so many women dressed in prairie gear. (And if you didn't come with one, you could leave with a bonnet from one of the museum's shops, as many little girls did.)

Then, right on schedule, the still very lovely and petite Melissa Anderson arrived for her presentation and Q&A session. I wasn't sure what to expect from her. I recently read the memoir of Alison Arngrim, who played Nellie Oleson on "LHOTP," in which she pulled absolutely no punches when describing Anderson as a bully to her, Melissa Gilbert (who played Laura), and several others offscreen. 

 Melissa Anderson

Anderson, to her credit and my relief, was extremely diplomatic, minimizing any on-set difficulties by stating that she was shy, quiet, serious, and not from a showbiz family, unlike many of her castmates, which made her different and might have been mistaken by them for snobbishness. I was also impressed that she answered every question asked of her, even the ridiculous ones from young kids who seemed unable to distinguish her from her character (one asked, "How's Laura?"), very politely without rolling her eyes. (I'd like to think I'd do the same, but I'm admittedly not sure.)

I passed on the subsequent pricey autograph session (her book was on sale for $15, plus an additional autograph fee) in favor of a free informative lecture from Laura Ingalls Wilder biographer Bill Anderson (no relation), whose well-researched discussion saved me a lot of Googling and reading. After that, I briefly toured a few of the nature trails on my way to the parking lot. Then it was back home to 2014 and all its accompanying conveniences. (There's nothing like a trip back to olden days to make you appreciate those!)