A 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation

Mission Statement

At Friends of the Little House, our mission is to preserve a historic space that holds endless possibilities for the future. We believe that the Little House is more than just a building – it’s a home for the Chillicothe Girl Scouts, a place where they can gather, learn, and grow.

Our goal is to ensure that this beloved space remains vibrant and accessible for generations to come. By holding annual fundraisers and working closely with the community, we will keep the Little House in top condition, covering all necessary operating costs.

Through our efforts, we hope to inspire others to recognize the value of historic spaces and the role they play in shaping our communities. Together, we can create a brighter future for the Little House and the Girls Scouts, who have called it home since 1956.

Who are we?

We are a group of Girl Scout volunteers that are passionate about keeping the Girl Scouts alive in our local community of Chillicothe, Missouri.

When our area council decided they no longer wanted to keep the Little House, we jumped into action. Thus, Friends of the Little House was created as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. We now own the Little House property, and are working diligently to secure enough donations to keep it in operation.

The local Girl Scouts of Chillicothe, Missouri went door-to-door raising $9,000 to build the Little House debt-free, and the land was donated by the late Murray Windle in 1956. The community has always strongly supported the local Girl Scout troops, with many friends, daughters, mothers, and even grandmothers having been a previous Girl Scout. Our hope is for this to continue as we keep the Little House a free place to meet for all Chillicothe Girl Scouts.

What are we doing?

Our efforts include running a fresh-squeezed lemonade stand at the Chillicothe Chautauqua every September. We hope to also sell our lemonade at other local festivals.

We do have future plans for other fundraisers as well as asking the local public for donations.

Our funds will be strictly used on the Little House property. Since 1956, the Chillicothe Girl Scout troops have not had to pay for rent, utilities, or maintenance for the house, because Council had always provided those. Now, any money we raise will pay for these same amenities so all Chillicothe Girl Scout troops will always have a free place to host meetings and events. Any funds in excess of utilities will go towards making repairs, upgrades, and restoring the house and property.