The Living History Farms Historic Dinners program offers guests the opportunity to step into the past and enjoy a lantern-lit evening of hearty food and fun. All meals are prepared with historic recipes popular in their respective time period.

To download a copy of the current Historic Dinners brochure click here (25 MB PDF file).

1875 Tangen Home Dinners – November 1, 2008 to March 29, 2009

Stroll along a lamp-lit boardwalk to the cozy 1875 Tangen House. Sip spiced punch next to the parlor fireplace while a host shares stories of Victorian life. Savor a multiple course meal in the elegant dining room as historical interpreters serve dinner family style.

After dinner, gather with fellow guests for lighthearted parlor games, such as a Victorian guessing game or “Hunt the Thimble.”

Dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and also at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
By special request, a 1:30 p.m. dinner is available Tuesday through Friday and Sunday.

• Savory Soup
• Roast Turkey with Dressing or Roast Pork or Baked Ham Roast both with Specialty Potatoes
• Three Vegetable Side Dishes
• Fruit Ice
• Fresh Dinner Rolls with Sweet Cream Butter
• Jams, Apple Butter & Sweet Pickles
• Fancy Cake & Preserved Fruit
• Coffee, Hot Punch & Water

1900 Farm Dinners – extended until March 15, 2009

A horse-drawn wagon carries you to the farmhouse, where the smell of freshly baked rolls and hot cider welcomes you. Enjoy a hearty home-cooked meal by the warmth of the stove served family style by our historical interpreters.

Make room for dessert with a lantern-lit trip outside to our 119-year-old barn. Or stay inside and peruse the 1895 Montgomery Ward catalog and play a game of checkers. After dessert, bundle up for the wagon ride back to your car.

Dinner is served daily at 6:30 p.m. and also at 1:30 p.m. on weekends. By special request, a 1:30 p.m. dinner is available Tuesday through Friday.

• Roast Chicken or Braised Beef Roast both with Mashed Potatoes and Gravy or Center Cut Ham Roast with Escalloped Potatoes.
• Three Vegetable Side Dishes
• Fresh Dinner Rolls with Sweet Cream Butter
• Jams and Pumpkin Butter
• Bread & Butter Pickles
• Chocolate Cake & Fruit Pie
• Coffee, Hot Cider & Water

Reservations

• Advance reservations are required. Call 515-278-5286, Monday through Friday for reservations.
• The first party to make a reservation selects the main entrée for all guests at that dinner.
• Historic Dinners are $50 per person. Gratuity is optional, but appreciated.
• Historic Dinners last about 2 and ½ hours.
• All guests are seated together family style to create a full table.

Payment

• Payments by check are due two weeks after the reservation is made.
• Payments by credit card are charged in full at the time of the reservation.
• MasterCard and Visa are accepted.
• Gift certificates are available at the Administration Office during weekday business hours.

Cancellation Policy

• For reservations of 7 or less, cancellations occurring at least 14 days prior to the reservation date will be refunded, minus a $5 per person reservation fee.
• No refund is given for any cancellation less than 14 days prior to the reservation date.
• Dinners are weather dependent. Cancellations by Living History Farms due to weather conditions will be rescheduled as available.

Flynn Afternoon Teas

Enjoy a Fall Harvest or Holiday tea at the 1875 Flynn House complete with an assortment of delicious sweets and savories. Fall Harvest teas take place November 7-9 and 13-16, 2008. Holiday teas take place December 5-10 and 15-21, 2008.

The tea experience begins at 1:30 p.m. and lasts approximately two hours. Reservations are $30 per person and are limited to 18 guests for each seating. Reservations may be made by calling the Scheduling Office at Living History Farms at 515-278-5286.  

Flynn Evening Gatherings

Experience a buffet-style dinner in the inviting atmosphere of the 1875 Flynn House. Flynn Evening Gatherings are perfect for corporate or family events. Enjoy a buffet dinner including sliced turkey breast, tenderloin of pork with apples, beef croquettes, assorted vegetables, relishes, brandied fruit, an assortment of cakes & tarts, bonbons, and coffee as you explore the main level of the Flynn House. Evening Gatherings are available November 13-16, 2008 and December 5-10 & 15-21, 2008.

Entertainment is available for an additional charge, if requested in advance. Available options include piano music, parlor games, or the language of Victorian fans.

Evening gatherings begin at 6:30 p.m. and last approximately two hours. Reservations are $40 per person and each gathering can seat 16-40 guests. Reservations may be made by calling the Scheduling Office at Living History Farms at 515-278-5286.