Ever heard of Lawrence Welk or Strasburg, ND? No, well you are missing out!
Ever since flying by the Welk Homestead sign last fall, we knew we had to make an actual visit. I mean, Lawrence Welk is North Dakota's golden boy - a North Dakota Music Hall of Fame Inductee. With his Germans from Russia heritage and work ethic, he made it to the big time with his bands and the Lawrence Welk Show.
We began our journey by traveling south on US 83, down the two lane highway through the fields of wheat, corn, and other crops we couldn't identify. As we neared Linton and Strasburg, we began to see lovely rolling hills. The Welk Homestead was easy to find as it has the state historic site sign AND another larger sign.
The small sod house sits next to the summer kitchen, the blacksmith, the livery stable, the red painted barn - and most importantly - the privy! We ran into a nephew of Lawrence, who showed us the children's table in the summer kitchen that his grandfather built, and where his mom played the organ. While touring the sod house, we learned Lawrence convinced his father to buy a $400 accordion for him in exchange for several more years work on the farm.
Our visit coincided with an annual event - Welk Homestead State Historic Site - Music at the Homestead - FREE music, kuchen, and black smith demonstrations. It was fun listening to the local musicians during the Accordion Jam Session. They played classics like Du Du Liegst Mir Im Herzen.
Even more interesting than the music, were the two blacksmiths demonstrating their craft! This entertaining duo will be at the upcoming Corn Feed/Harvest Festival (this event has two names!) at Buckstop Junction in Bismarck, ND and the Annual Braddock Threshing Bee in Braddock, ND. The most interesting event was the blacksmith demonstration. One of the gentleman demonstrated how to make wall hook with a decorative heart.
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