News

A New Betsy-Tacy Book for the First Time in 70 Years!

We’ve been working with The Creative Company on a 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐬𝐲-𝐓𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 called Betsy-Tacy for Small Children.

With beautifully colored illustrations (the originals by Lois Lenski!) and a simple adaptation of Maud's words and stories, this hardcover edition will captivate the youngest readers and serve as an early introduction to the world of Betsy-Tacy.

And the best news: You can preorder your copy today! The Betsy-Tacy Society has exclusive rights to distribute the books from now through the end of December. We expect to start mailing the books toward the end of September.

Another option: If you’re attending the Betsy-Tacy Convention in October, you can arrange to have your book waiting for you there and skip the shipping fee!

We are simply thrilled with this sweet new book, and we hope you – and your littlest friends – love it too.

p.s. The subtitle is an homage to Lois Lenski's “Small" characters (Farmer Small, Papa Small, Engineer Small, Pilot Small, etc.)!

I 🖤 Betsy-Tacy T-Shirts

We’re excited to offer a new apparel item this month! Our new T-shirt is available in three styles (Youth, Adult Fitted, and Adult Relaxed-Style) and a magnificent array of colors. Each adult-size shirt is $25, and each youth-size shirt is $22.50 (plus shipping, if applicable).

There are two delivery options:

  • Pay an additional $9 per shirt to have it mailed directly to you

  • If you're attending the October Convention in Mankato, skip the shipping fee; your T-shirt or sweatshirt will be waiting for you at the Convention.

You can order T-shirts here (through September 12). We need 25 orders of each style in order to go forward. Don’t hesitate – please place your order today!

Any questions? Just ask!

The Betsy-Tacy Houses Are Open for Public Tours

Come visit us!

Donation Drive 2025!

We raised $37,334!
Thank you!!

On April 26, we wrapped up our yearly donation drive – to enable us to keep the Betsy-Tacy Houses open and continue the good work we've been doing and also to beautify the grounds and gardens at each House, so the exteriors are as lovely and inviting as the interiors we've worked so hard to restore and maintain. See the 2025 Donor List here.

Everyone who donated $200 or more is listed on our website as a Friend of the Betsy and Tacy Gardens and had the chance to weigh in on what we will plant there.

Thank you for your support!

Seeking Volunteers at the Betsy-Tacy Houses

The Betsy-Tacy Houses opened for our regular Saturday business hours on May 3, and we would love to add a few more volunteers to our roster. There is simply nothing like seeing someone enter Betsy’s House for the first time – and YOU could be the person who opens the door for them and witnesses this magical moment!

Whether you’re available for a weekly or monthly shift or can volunteer only occasionally, we will gratefully accept the gift of your time.

  • Tour guides: Saturday shifts are from 12:45 to 3:30 p.m., May–October (three total tours). We also need guides for private tours throughout the year. No experience required! Training is provided, we’ll give you a script, and you may shadow an experienced guide until you feel comfortable going solo. 

  • Shop staff: Saturday shifts are from 12:45 to 3:45 p.m., May–October (the Shop is open 1–3:30). Training is provided – and again, you may shadow an experienced worker till you’re comfortable handling things on your own.

To learn more, please call (507) 345-9777 or email us. You can also download our Volunteer Application here.

Our Amazon Wish List

Want to be part of the Betsy-Tacy Houses and support our work in a very concrete and tangible way? Check out our Wish List on Amazon.com and see the various items we’d love to receive. (Many years ago, a member donated a new vacuum to Tacy’s House, and every time she visits she checks to see how “her” vacuum is doing! 🤣) We update this list regularly. Thank you for your support!


—> Looking for older News stories? They can be found here.

Events

Registration closes September 15! The next Betsy-Tacy Convention is October 10–12, 2025.
Website: https://betsy-tacy-convention.square.site/
Facebook: facebook.com/BetsyTacyCon

Note: “Deep Valley Time” (i.e., Central Time) is our default when listing an event. To be sure that you’ve correctly calculated the time difference for your location, we suggest using an online world clock such as this one.

Featured
“Big Hill” Book Discussion
Sep 9
“Big Hill” Book Discussion

Join us for a deeper look at Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill. The 90-minute Zoom discussion begins at 6:30 p.m. Deep Valley time. Open to all, though best for ages 12 and up. $3 for BTS members; $15 for non-members. Pre-registration is required. Once you’ve registered, please email Jennifer (Jennifer <at> betsy-tacysociety.org) for the Zoom link and discussion questions.

Drop-In Writers Lounge – September
Sep 21
Drop-In Writers Lounge – September

Each month, we offer a two-hour block for writers to gather via Zoom and have a chance to work quietly on their own while enjoying the fellowship of other writers.

Free and open to all. Pre-registration is required. Once you've registered, please email Jennifer (Jennifer@betsy-tacysociety.org) to get the Zoom link.

“Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown” Book Discussion, Part 1
Oct 19
“Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown” Book Discussion, Part 1

Join us for a deeper look at Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown, Part 1. This 90-minute Zoom discussion begins at 6 p.m. Deep Valley time on Sunday, October 19. Open to all, though best for ages 12 and up. $3 for Betsy-Tacy Society members, $15 for non-members. Pre-registration is required. Once you have registered, please email Jennifer (Jennifer <at> betsy-tacysociety.org) for the Zoom link and discussion questions.

Drop-In Writers Lounge – October
Oct 21
Drop-In Writers Lounge – October

Each month, we offer a two-hour block for writers to gather via Zoom and have a chance to work quietly on their own while enjoying the fellowship of other writers.

Free and open to all. Pre-registration is required. Once you've registered, please email Jennifer (Jennifer@betsy-tacysociety.org) to get the Zoom link.

“Carney's House Party” Book Discussion – International Edition!
Oct 25
“Carney's House Party” Book Discussion – International Edition!

Join us for a closer look at Carney’s House Party. In an effort to make our book discussions more accessible for our outside–the-U.S. members and friends, this two-hour Zoom discussion begins at 11 a.m. Deep Valley time. Open to all, though best for ages 12 and up. $3 for BTS members; $15 for non-members. Pre-registration is required.

Note: Please register at least 24 hours before the event. If you register the day of the event, we may not see your order in time.


Once you've registered, please email "Jennifer <at> betsy-tacysociety.org" for the Zoom link and discussion questions.

Drop-In Writers Lounge: November 2
Nov 2
Drop-In Writers Lounge: November 2

In honor of National Novel-Writing Month, we're hosting a Drop-In Writers Lounge every week in November – two Sunday afternoons and two Tuesday evenings in November.

This session includes a special pre-event: a writerly pep talk and an opportunity for Q&A from special guest Nancy McCabe!

The event is free for BTS members. There is a fee for non-members to attend the writer talk, though non-members may skip the talk, arrive 30 minutes later, and take part in the two-hour writing block for no charge.

Pre-registration is required.

Drop-In Writers Lounge: November 11
Nov 11
Drop-In Writers Lounge: November 11

In honor of National Novel-Writing Month, we're hosting a Drop-In Writers Lounge every week in November: two Sunday afternoons and two Tuesday evenings in November.

This session includes a special pre-event: a writerly pep talk and an opportunity for Q&A from special guest Gabrielle Meyer!

The event is free for BTS members. There is a fee for non-members to attend the writer talk, though non-members may skip the talk, arrive 30 minutes later, and take part in the two-hour writing block for no charge.

Pre-registration is required.

Drop-In Writers Lounge: November 16
Nov 16
Drop-In Writers Lounge: November 16

In honor of National Novel-Writing Month, we're hosting a Drop-In Writers Lounge every week in November: two Sunday afternoons and two Tuesday evenings. This session includes a special pre-event: a writerly pep talk and an opportunity for Q&A from special guest Anna Rose Johnson!

The event is free for BTS members. There is a fee for non-members to attend the writer talk, though non-members may skip the talk, arrive 30 minutes later, and take part in the two-hour writing block for no charge.

Pre-registration is required.