“Laura Ingalls Wilder Remembered” will be the theme of a free program at the Hoover Museum on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1. Traditional frontier music, prairie walks, living history interpreters as well as a special show on Laura Ingalls Wilder and her work will be the feature of the day.

The program will begin at 1:30 p.m. with musical selections by the widely acclaimed Marengo Civil War Band. Following the music, Sarah S. Uthoff will portray “Mrs. Wilder” delivering a 1937 speech informing fans on what happened after the story told in the Little House books ends. The program will be repeated at 3 p.m.

Respected Wilder authority, Sarah S. Uthoff, is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She has just been named to the Humanities Iowa Speakers Bureau. Her other speaking engagements have included the Ingalls Homestead in De Smet, South Dakota and Laura Ingalls Wilder Days in Pepin Wisconsin.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., interpreters demonstrate historic crafts, games, school teaching, and other activities from 19th century West Branch. Games and home crafts demonstrations by costumed volunteers take place near the Herbert Hoover Birthplace Cottage. Visit the 1853 West Branch. Park Ranger Chuck Ping will also demonstrate the art and craft of blacksmithing in the Blacksmith Shop.

Guided walks of the 81-acre tall grass prairie start at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum at 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3 p.m. Park rangers will introduce families to the plants and animals of Iowa’s tall grass prairies and discuss how the National Park Service is restoring this endangered habitat.

The walk is one half-mile and lasts about one hour. Bring water, dress for the weather, and wear comfortable walking shoes. Hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, and insect repellent are also recommended.

Visitors also may tour the Museum’s newest exhibit, Children in the White House featuring Caroline Kennedy’s Dolls. This exhibit showcases the dolls Caroline Kennedy received as gifts while she was living in the White House.

The Herbert Hoover Museum is open from 9-5 daily. There will be free admission to the special activities in the Museum and for the Prairie Walk; regular admission will be charged to go through the galleries on Labor Day. The Museum is located in West Branch, Iowa, just off I-80 at Exit 254. For more information, please call 319-643-5301.