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Keep Abbie's Story Alive.
Get Involved or Donate Today!
The Mission of the Friends of Abbie Gardner Cabin Historic Site is to assist the Iowa State Historical Society in preserving and enhancing the Abbie Gardner historic site.
Contributions can be submitted online below or mailed to:
Friends of the Abbie Gardner Cabin Historic Site
P.O. Box 105
Okoboji, IA 51355
If donation is through a donor advised fund, please email us for more details.
BUY ABBIE'S BOOK TODAY!
The History of the Spirit Lake Massacre is available now for purchase at the Dickinson County Museum on their website.
Take a Quick Tour
Click on the video to the left to see the site as it is today.
The site of the 1857 Spirit Lake Massacre, the historic Gardner Cabin, became one of Iowa’s inaugural tourist attractions. Mrs. Abigail Gardner Sharp bought the deteriorating cabin in 1891, attempting to preserve the cabin for future generations, she operated it as a museum for the next 29 years. During that time, Abbie shared with area school children, the dramatic story of her capture and captivity by the Dakota leader, Inkapuduta. Today the cabin, owned by the State of Iowa, is in need of restoration.