INHF 25th Anniversary Event #13
Wiegert Prairie
Farmstead Fallfest

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Relive the days when Iowa farms still contained virgin prairie, farmers worked the land with draft horses, kindergartners through twelfth-graders learned together in one room and houses lacked electricity--let alone televisions and computer games!

Event details
This event takes place in a casual setting with a casual format. Drop in anytime and stay as long as you want. See the draft horses at work. Ride in the horse-drawn wagon across the road and into the prairie. Stop at the country school and pioneer church just beyond the grove. Sit under the trees and enjoy some homemade pie or Indian fry bread! Event-goers can also buy hamburgers, chips, baked beans and drinks in the corncrib.

The story behind this place
Harry Wiegert lived on this farm all his life, and he preferred to keep the simple life. Until his death in 1980, he farmed the land with horses, leaving two portions of native prairie near the farmstead unplowed. He never had electricity on the place, and the buildings were not adapted for modern conveniences. As a result, the Wiegert farmstead in 1980 looked very much as it had in 1900.

When it came time to settle Harry's estate, his heirs knew how unusual it is to find virgin prairie or a 1900 farmstead. The Pocahontas County Conservation Board (PCCB) and the Pocahontas County Historical Society also wanted these gems to be saved. As the estate went to auction, the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation helped the conservation board develop a preservation plan. INHF purchased the 30-acre prairie and 7-acre farmstead at auction for the PCCB in 1980 (INHF's first year of existence--and only the fifth land protection project we accomplished).

In an unusual partnership effort, PCCB now manages the land and takes care of the educational programming while the Weigert Farm Committee cares for the buildings and other historical assets. The Historical Society later purchased an additional 27 acres surrounding the farmstead to demonstrate agricultural practices consistent with the early 1900s. They also arranged for the schoolhouse and church to be added to the site. When the original barn burned, a neighbor donated his barn (built on the same plan by the same builder) to keep the farmstead whole.

Partner Information
The Pocahontas County Conservation Board's (PCCB) primary goal is to serve the citizens of Pocahontas County by providing a balanced conservation, recreation and education program. This includes many areas rich in wildlife and native vegetation that not only enhance the eyes but the mind as well.
pokyccb@evertek.net

Pocahontas County Historical Society
The activities of the museum curators and appointed committee members include many annual projects, such as the History Book of each school in the county, the Pioneer Church, the Special Collection of Veterans Credentials, the Memorial Plaque and Book Project and, of course, the Wiegert Farmstead Project.

Driving Directions
From Pocahontas
Travel south of Pocahontas on Hwy 4 for 10 miles, then turn east on C66. Follow C66 for 6 miles. Turn north on 280th Ave. (gravel road) for 1/2 mile and then west 1/4 mile on 615th St.
From Palmer
Travel east out of Palmer on C56 for 2 miles. Turn south on 280th Ave. for 2 1/2 miles. Turn west for 1/4 mile on 615th St.

Visitor Info
Pocahontas Chamber of Commerce
chamber@pocahontasiowa.com

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