For exact dates and for info about events that require advance RSVPs, such as the May teas and the murder mysteries, use the links below.
Larson House Museum: Facebook page / upcoming events
McFarland Historical Society: Facebook page / upcoming events
Come to the Larson House from 1-3 to celebrate Thelma’s special birthday! Thelma (photo: on the right) lives next door and was the founder of the beautiful gardens at both properties. She is also famous for her beautiful gourd art that she has donated for many years to benefit the Larson House Museum.
The Strawberry Shortcake Social will be held June 28th, 2026 from 1 to 5 pm at the the Larson House Museum (6003 Exchange Street, McFarland WI).
This event has been held annually since 2015 and features McFarland’s best strawberry shortcake. The strawberries are freshly picked and the shortcake is homemade. Hundreds of people come back year after year for family-friendly fun.
The social boasts a variety of live entertainment acts, lawn games and free tours of the Larson House. Beverages and hot dogs are also served with all proceeds benefiting the McFarland Historical Society.
The 2025 Strawberry Shortcake Social was cancelled due to a heat wave, but we still sold out of shortcake by selling it at McDaniel’s park a few days later. 😄 This year, keep your fingers crossed for our usual perfect weather at the Larson House Museum!
This event has its own dedicated page. If you’re ready to buy tickets, click here to go to ticket sales.
Every Tuesday in September and October – Join us indoors at the Larson House Museum at 1 pm and learn to crochet a lapghan (small afghan) or work on your own independent textile project (knitting, crocheting, etc.) For questions, contact Gail at gtaaroen@hotmail.com. This event debuted in 2025, and may be repeated in 2026. Check here for further info.
Every December Sunday from 1-4, our free Very Victorian Christmas event takes place at the Larson House Museum (LHM). Complimentary hot beverages and cookies are served in the kitchen after your tour. Enjoy a tour of house or sit and enjoy the music.
The Larson House Museum is a Queen Anne style Victorian home built in 1898 and furnished to represent the 1920’s when electricity first came to McFarland. It’s a great place to bring out-of-town guests that are visiting for the holidays. Take a guided tour and enjoy the unique trees and decorations in every room of this photogenic gingerbread house. Admission is always free and donations are welcomed. A Very Victorian Christmas is also a great opportunity to pick up some last-minute gifts, which often include succulent arrangements by Wes Licht, gourd Santa ornaments by Thelma Allen, t-shirts, wrapped gift baskets, and gift memberships to the McFarland Historical Society.
Starting in 2022, we have held a number of murder mystery evenings at the Larson House Museum. These events require a reservation and involve 8-20 costumed participants, in addition to a few volunteer servers and actors. Characters are assigned by the Murder Mystery Committee. Guests come up with appropriate costumes and arrive at the lovely Larson House at the date and time specified on their invitation. Costumes do not need to be elaborate and anything you need can easily be purchased at a thrift store.
During these mysteries, our “John Larson” manikin has suffered horrible deaths by poison in his champagne, an exploding chocolate Easter egg, a candlestick to the head, etc. Themes have involved various decades and countries (e.g., 1960s France), with food and background music to match. Guests enjoy elaborate and tasty food served to all in the dining room, champagne, wine, or non-alcoholic beverages and an evening of fun as everyone tries to solve the “who done” it mystery.
The McFarland Historical Society Annual Meeting takes place on a Sunday in March or April each year from 1 to 3 pm. This always well-attended meeting is held in the Training Room at the McFarland Municipal Building at 5915 Milwaukee Street. All are welcome–you do not need to be a MHS member!
The Annual Meeting features a guest speaker on a topic related to local history, as well as the presentation of our annual Volunteer of the Year award. Refreshments are also served.
The always-sold-out Larson House teas will be held in 2026 on Sunday, May 3, and Saturday, May 9, both from 1-3 pm at the Larson House Museum at 6003 Exchange St, McFarland, WI. Both these dates are full.
The fascinating history of tea and tea parties will be explained as participants partake of tea, lemonade and sweet and savory treats in the elegant ambiance of this beautiful Victorian home. Those attending are encouraged to wear their Sunday best clothing and fancy hats. We have a wide selection of period appropriate hats on site for you to borrow for the event.
The fee is $25, a real bargain for this unique experience. All proceeds benefit the McFarland Historical Society.
We are still in need of volunteers to bake one of the confections to be served at the teas. Volunteers will be assigned a traditional recipe from the Society’s “Taking Time for Tea” book edited by Judy St. Clair. Contact Gail Aaroen at gtaaroen@hotmail.com for information.
To raise funds for the Larson House Museum gardens, gardener Gail Aaroen and a team of volunteers dig extra perennials from the garden. After washing off the soil, they replant in sterilized potting soil and sell the plants from the LHM driveway. This is a hugely popular plant sale that you won’t want to miss!
Plants include flowering and non-flowering plants suitable for full-sun to part-shade. Many Wisconsin native species are available.
We will be open 9-6 each day except we’ll close temporarily if it’s raining.
