Summit meeting for the 50th anniversary of the “Ingalls Family”: who attended?

This March 30th we celebrate 50 years since the pilot program aired of the beloved series The Ingall familythen occurred regularly from 11 September 1974 to 10 May 1982.

To celebrate, a special celebration will take place this weekend in the Californian city of Simi Valley, near Los Angeles.

This three-day event delivers for fans the opportunity to explore Big Sky Ranch, the location where the television strip was originally filmed.

There will be an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour, a look at the small town of Walnut Grove and plenty of 1870s-style food, music and entertainment, plus a chance to meet the surviving cast and crew.

Memories of the cast

One day before this celebration, the television program Good morning America met the cast members Melissa Gilbert (Laura Ingalls), Karen Grassle (Caroline, Laura’s mother), and Alison Arngrim (Laura’s nemesis, Nellie Oleson) to celebrate by talking about his lasting legacy.

As for why generations of fans continued to watch the show long after its 200-plus episodes over nine seasons ended in 1983, Grassle offered some insight:

“People are finding values, comfort and a message they aspire to,” he said. “And I think it’s just human decency.”

Arngrim added that the show seemed like a success at the time, but its validity is “absolutely mind-blowing” to her.

“It’s overwhelming, actually,” Gilbert chimed in. “I remember so much from my childhood and so many wonderful, emotional experiences associated with all these people.”

Michael Landon’s Magnetism

Among those who left a lasting impact on Gilbert is the late Michele Landonwho not only played patriarch Charles Ingalls, aka “Pa,” but He also produced the series, directed and wrote many episodes.

Gilbert called Landon, who died in 1991 at age 54, “magnetic,” saying he “attracted me but also played with me right away.”

“Our relationship immediately became paternal,” he continued. “But when he worked with us he treated us like he was the same age as her, not like children.”

As Gilbert’s Laura grew from a girl to a woman on the show, she was also guided by her TV mother.

Grassle, reflecting on what Caroline, or “Ma,” gave to Laura and, by default, to those who watched the show, said that “I can only think of it as love.”

An unforgettable story

The series revolved around Charles Ingalls, a man who has difficulty settling his family in Plum Creek, Minnesota, so he and his wife Caroline move to Walnut Grove, in search of a better community and prosperity. Together they raise their three daughters: Mary, Laura and Carrie.

Thanks to its success, after nine seasons three television films were produced based on the original series.