For the first 20 years of its existence, the Willa Cather Foundation concentrated on preserving and restoring sites important to the life and works of Willa Cather. Today, six of the restored properties are owned by the Nebraska State Historical Society, but managed by the Willa Cather Foundation. These sites are the Garber Bank Building, the Cather Childhood Home, the Grace Episcopal Church, the St. Juliana Catholic Church, the Burlington Depot, and the Pavelka farm, located fourteen miles north of Red Cloud. In addition, the Willa Cather Foundation owns and manages the 1885 Red Cloud Opera House, the Baptist Church, the Harling House, and the Moon Block. Taken together, the Cather Foundation historic site has the largest number of national historic designated buildings devoted to one author in the United States. In addition, the Willa Cather Foundation owns and manages the Willa Cather Memorial Prairie, a 608-acre tract of unbroken prairie located five miles from Red Cloud.

The Willa Cather Foundation offices are presently located in the newly restored 1885 Red Cloud Opera House. A bookstore within the Opera House carries all of Cather's works as well as many books written by others about Willa Cather. Art and educational exhibits regularly hang in the gallery, located on the main level of the Opera House.

Both town and country tours of sites related to Cather are available; for more information, please contact us or review our Cather Tours tab. The Willa Cather Foundation also holds a Spring Conference annually in Red Cloud. Symposiums, international seminars, and workshops related to Cather's works are regularly held in Nebraska and throughout the world.

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 For more information about the Willa Cather Foundation, call us toll-free at 866-731-7304, or e-mail us at   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 Join the Willa Cather Foundation and help support their work.

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Things to do at the Willa Cather Foundation:

• Building tour: Red Cloud and the Cather Foundation are hosts to the largest memorial to an author in the country. Visitors can tour many buildings related to the life and writings of Willa Cather, including her childhood home and beloved train depot.
• Country tour: Tourists can participate in a country tour, which highlights landmarks and buildings related to the pioneer sections of Cather's writing. Here, visitors will see some of the places that inspired the most moving scenes in her novels, such as the suicide grave from My Antonia.
• Gallery: Visitors will enjoy our spacious, historic space that serves as our art gallery. Exhibits change about every six weeks; see our website for updates. Global artists have exhibited here, and in 2008, a Smithsonian traveling display will hang.
• Prairie: The Willa Cather Memorial Prairie is essential to the work and mission statement of the Cather Foundation. This 608-acre, virgin prairie offers visitors a rare glimpse into the 19th century. Because it has never been plowed, those who look upon it, or walk out in it, will experience the land virtually as it was when Cather lived here.
• Bookstore: Boasting the largest collection of books by and about Willa Cather, the bookstore, located in the beautiful Opera House, also has Cather-related items for sale. Browse among t-shirts, prints, cards, and more.
• Film: Visitors can watch a 17-minute short film that summarizes Willa Cather and Red Cloud. This very informative piece is usually shown before a tour, and helps people of all ages to better understand the information they will receive on the tour.
• Performances: The Red Cloud Opera House is host to various programming year-round. Visit www.willacather.org for more information on current events, ranging from community theatre, musical shows, dance pieces, traveling theatre groups, humanities demonstrations, and more.

Summer Hours of Operation & Guided Tours Schedule (April 1 to September 30)

• Monday - Friday:  8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Tour Times:  9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3 p.m.
• Saturday:  9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Tour Times:  9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3 p.m.
• Sunday:  1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Tour Times:  1:30 p.m., 3 p.m.

Winter Hours of Operation & Guided Tours Schedule (October 1 to March 31)

• Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  
  • Tour Times:  9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3 p.m.
• Saturday:  9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
  • Tour Times:  9:30 a.m., 11 a.m.
    
• Sunday:  Closed