welcome to
The Betsy-Tacy
Society
Celebrating Maud Hart Lovelace
tours
Visit the homes where the stories began. The Betsy-Tacy Houses are open to the public Saturday afternoons, May through October, and by appointment throughout the year.
Events
Join us for book discussions, Writers Lounges, holiday celebrations, and other fun activities!
Shop
Browse books by Maud Hart Lovelace, prints of illustrations by Lois Lenski and Vera Neville, jewelry, CDs, postcards, stickers, and other items sure to delight Betsy-Tacy fans.
resources
Take a deeper dive into all things Betsy-Tacy. Find maps of BT sites, a listing of regional fan groups, activity guides, links to older BTS newsletters, and a number of other exciting resources.
The Books
As a young girl, Maud Hart Lovelace dreamed of becoming a writer . . . and she grew up to write the universally loved series of Betsy-Tacy books. Step into the pages of Betsy and Tacy’s Deep Valley in the early 1900s — a time when life moved at a slower pace and children invented their own wholesome fun.
Who We Are
The BTS was established in 1990 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting Maud’s beloved series, which at that time was mostly out of print. That small group evolved into an organization that now boasts more than 1,000 members (starting at age 5!) throughout the United States and seven other countries. Over the years, our members have mobilized to encourage republication of the Betsy-Tacy books and protect the still-existing homes and other landmarks that Maud so lovingly depicted.
Today, the entire 13-book series is in print, and the BTS owns the real-life Betsy and Tacy Houses. We also offer a variety of events — both in person at the Betsy-Tacy Houses, and virtually, via Zoom — throughout the year, and we have a Shop at Tacy’s House (available online 24/7) that is bursting with books and other treasures sure to please all Maud Hart Lovelace and Betsy-Tacy fans.
Have you read the Betsy-Tacy books?
When Betsy Ray turns five, she gets the greatest present ever — Tacy, a new best friend who lives right across the street!
Betsy-Tacy begins in 1897 on the eve of Betsy’s fifth birthday; the final book in the series, Betsy’s Wedding, ends in 1917 as the U.S. prepares to enter the First World War.
Throughout the 13 books, you’ll get to know Betsy, Tacy, and their whole Crowd of friends as they share the difficulties and joys of growing up, go on countless adventures — both real and imagined — and offer a beautiful model of true friendship.
Betsy and Tacy show us that every girl has an important story to tell – and that the best gift is the present of a friend.
Books in Order: Betsy-Tacy • Betsy-Tacy and Tib • Winona’s Pony Cart • Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill • Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown • Heaven to Betsy • Betsy in Spite of Herself • Betsy Was a Junior • Betsy and Joe • Carney’s House Party • Emily of Deep Valley • Betsy and the Great World • Betsy’s Wedding
Were Betsy and Tacy real?
Yes! Author Maud Hart Lovelace wrote about her happy childhood in “Deep Valley” (Mankato) with her across-the-street best friend, Frances “Bick” Kenney. Betsy is based closely on Maud herself, and bashful redheaded Tacy is based on Bick, her real-life best friend.
Where did they live? Are their houses still there?
Yes! The Betsy-Tacy Houses are at 332 and 333 Center Street in Mankato.
With support from fans from around the world, the Betsy-Tacy Society purchased both houses and worked hard to restore them to their original turn-of-the-century charm. Betsy’s House is a living museum, where visitors can see how the Hart family lived more than 100 years ago. Across the street is Tacy’s House, where you can view Hart and Lovelace family artifacts, photographs, and more. Both Houses are open to the public for tours.
Photo credit: Emily Harris
News & Events
Beautiful Blooms at the Houses
Our wonderful team – Tim Sutton and Amber Massaglia – are taking gorgeous care of the grounds and gardens at the Betsy-Tacy Houses.
A New Betsy-Tacy Book!
We worked with The Creative Company on a brand new picture book called “Betsy-Tacy for Small Children.”
“Travel & Leisure” Magazine
We had great fun hosting writer Greta Rybus. Her marvelous article “I Visited the Real-life Homes Behind Beloved Childhood Books—and Found a New Way to Read Them” appears in the May 2026 issue.
Mailing Address
332 Center Street
Mankato, MN 56001
The Betsy-Tacy Society is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and your contributions may be tax-deductible. Please ask us if you require more info – and thank you for your support!
The Lois Lenski and Vera Neville illustrations on this website
are used with permission from HarperCollins Publishers.
Hours
You can reach out to us by phone or email 24/7; we will respond within two business days.
The Shop at Tacy’s House is open every Tuesday and Thursday, 1–3 p.m. Both Houses are open for tours and shopping on Saturdays, May–October, 1–3:30 p.m., and special weekday tours are available year-round.
You can place orders from our online Shop at any time.
Contact
General info:
info@betsy-tacysociety.org
24-hour answering service:
507-345-9777
Publications and virtual events:
Jennifer@betsy-tacysociety.org
Membership:
SiteManager@betsy-tacysociety.org