List of museums in South Dakota explained

This list of museums in South Dakota encompasses museums defined for this context as institutions (including nonprofit organizations, government entities, and private businesses) that collect and care for objects of cultural, artistic, scientific, or historical interest and make their collections or related exhibits available for public viewing. Museums that exist only in cyberspace (i.e., virtual museums) are not included.

Museums

NameTown/CityCountyRegionTypeSummary
Western Local history Operated by the Custer Country Historical Society
Southeast Open air website, park with historic Shay-Adams Home with period furnishings, barn, country school and church
Western Local history Exhibits include folk art, Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Deadwood Dick
Central website, profiles the lives of nomadic Plains Indians
Armed Forces Military Display and Gifts Western Military Private museum displaying foreign and domestic militaria from World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam and current US conflicts[1] [2]
Augustana College Art Galleries Southeast Art Center for Visual Arts houses the Eide/Dalrymple Gallery and Carl Grupp Permanent Collection, the Hovland Center for Liturgical Arts, dedicated space for displaying student work; Center for Western Studies Art Gallery displays history and cultures of the Northern Plains and rotating exhibits of regional artists[3]
Aurora County Museum Southeast Local history [4]
Southeast Local history Operated by the Clay County Historical Society, late 19th-century house with Victorian furnishings and items of local historical interest[5]
Western Natural history Visitor center exhibits include the geology, paleontology and natural history of the park
Badlands Petrified Garden Western Natural history website, rocks, minerals and fossils
Northeast Open air website, complex includes museum with period displays, Clark Railroad Depot, a settler's shanty, a pioneer church and school; also known as Clark County Museum
Pennington Western Mining website, includes mine tour and museum
Lawrence Western Mining website, simulated gold mine tours
Pennington Western Natural history Fossils, dinosaurs, gems, minerals, meteorites
Bon Homme Heritage Museum Southeast Local history [6]
Keystone Pennington Western Biographical website, Mount Rushmore sculptor Gutzon Borglum
Northeast Local history Includes an 1870 log cabin, vintage farm equipment, antique tools, and a one-room country school house[7]
Central Native American website, history of the Lakota of the Rosebud Indian Reservation, operated by the St. Francis Mission
Buffalo Historical Museum Western Local history Includes museum and 1914 one room schoolhouse[8]
Central Natural history website, story of the buffalo, its importance and significance in the North American Indian cultures of the Great Plains, and its relationship to the people of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe
Campbell Original Straw Bale Built Museum Southeast Local history website, located in a building built out of straw bales
Carnegie Resource Center Mitchell Davison Southeast Local history website, operated by the Mitchell Area Historical Society, exhibits of local history and genealogy, permanent collection of Corn Palace memorabilia
Central Sports website, South Dakota rodeo heritage and memorabilia
Cecil & Phyllis Melcher Museum Southeast Local history Located in the Lyric Theatre, includes dolls, wildlife of South Dakota, toy tractors and tractors, arts of local areas, cars and a military room[9]
Celebrity Hotel Memorabilia Display Deadwood Lawrence Western Multiple website, located in the Celebrity Hotel, celebrity memorabilia, cars and motorcycles
Southeast American West website, part of Augustana College, exhibits include Native American artifacts, 19th century replica Norwegian living room, Jim Savage art studio, changing exhibits from its collections
Pennington Western Historic site Stave church replica of the Borgund stave church in Norway and 19th century Norwegian log cabin
Northeast Children's website
Civilian Conservation Corps Museum of South Dakota Hill City Pennington Western History website
Classic Wheels Museum Northeast Transportation website, includes antique vehicles, toy cars, model trains
Northeast Local history History and heritage of Codington County and the Coteau des Prairie region of northeastern South Dakota
Mitchell Davison Southeast Agriculture History of the Corn Palace's design, construction, link to area agriculture
Corsica Historical Museum Southeast Local history website
Southeast Historic house website, 1880s Victorian mansion
Custer Western Multiple Monumental sculpture of Crazy Horse, Indian Museum of North America, and the Native American Cultural Center
Custer Custer Western Multiple Includes Peter Norbeck Center with natural history and cultural heritage displays, and Badger Hole, the historic house of poet Badger Clark
Northeast Multiple website, natural, cultural and local history
Rapid City Pennington Western Art website
Southeast Multiple website, art, history, culture, located on the campus of Dakota Wesleyan University
Central Local history website, includes museum, country school, carriage barn, and blacksmith shop
Southeast Local history website, includes museum, school, depot and caboose. Now located inside the Mead Cultural Education Center in Yankton.
Dakotaland Museum Northeast Local history Located on the State Fairgrounds[10] [11]
Daneville Heritage Museum Southeast Local history [12]
Day County Museum Northeast Local history Located in basement of Day County Courthouse[13] [14]
Lawrence Western American West website, includes horse-drawn vehicles, rodeo items, Old West pioneer and American Indian art and artifacts
Lawrence Western Industry Former hatchery, includes Von Bayer Museum of Fish Culture with exhibits about the history and science of fish culture and fisheries
Southeast Local history [15]
Clear Lake Museum Northeast Local history Operated by the Clear Lake Historical Society, open for special events and by appointment[16]
Cheryl's Doll House SoutheastToy [17]
Donald Christman Toy Museum Southeast Toy Includes antique dishes and farm toys, antique dolls[18]
Douglas County Museum Southeast Local history Includes the Country School and Railroad House, operated by the Douglas County Historical Society[19]
Elkton Community Museum Brookings Northeast Local history Open by appointment[20]
Eureka Pioneer Museum Northeast Local history [21]
Faulk County Historical Museum Central Local history Open by appointment[22]
Western Military website, history of Fort Meade, located in the former commanding officers' quarters
Northeast Military State park with preserved 1864 fort buildings
Custer Custer Western Open air website, buildings include a town hall, saloon, general store, church, bank, an outhouse, sheriff's office, jails
Frederick Area Historical Society Northeast Local history [23]
Garretson Area Historical Society Museum Southeast Local history [24]
Geddes Historic Village Southeast Open air Operated by the Charles Mix County Historical Restoration Society, open by appointment[25] [26]
Southeast Art website
Grand River Museum Western Multiple website, includes local bronze sculptures, ranching, Native American and homestead artifacts, fossils and Creation Science displays
Grant County Historical Society Museum Northeast Local history [27]
Gary Historical MuseumGaryDeuelNortheastHistorical MuseumOperated by the Gary Historical Association Open for special occasions and by appointment.

http://www.experiencegarysd.com /

Southeast Local history Operated by the Gregory County Historical Society[28]
Harry's Antique Safe Museum Southeast Commodity Antique safes, farm toys and toy race cars[29]
Southeast Multiple website, displays natural history, history and local history, including pioneer tools, pioneer household items, antiques, toys, vehicles and native wildlife displays
Western Native American website, Lakota culture and Native art, located on the campus of the Red Cloud Indian School
Custer Western Local history [30] [31]
Lawrence Western American West website, Western art, historic artifacts & memorabilia
Deadwood Lawrence Western Historic house 1892 mansion
Historic Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Depot Northeast Railroad website, railroad items, model trains, engines and artifacts
Southeast Open air website, includes over 40 antique-filled buildings, agricultural displays, steam tractors, a sawmill and a train
Northeast Mill Also known as Milbank Grist Mill, reconstructed grist mill[32]
De Smet Kingsbury Southeast Open air website, includes Charles Ingalls homestead, school, dugout house, prairie learning center, pioneer activities
Northeast Food Vinegars from all over the world
Jerauld County Pioneer Museum Southeast Multiple Complex includes one room school, medical office, Western equipment, blacksmith shop, local history artifacts, operated by the Dunham Historical Society[33] [34]
J.W. Parmley Historical Home Northeast Historic house Includes the J.W. Parmley House and the Parmley Land Office[35] [36]
Rapid City Pennington Western Multiple Contains prehistoric & historic collections related to the Western Great Plains with displays of local geology, archaeology, Native American culture, & European pioneer history in the Minnilusa Pioneer Museum
Keystone Historical Museum Keystone Pennington Western Local history website
Northeast Local history website, features pioneer and Native American artifacts
Lake Norden Historical Society Southeast Local historyIncludes museum, one room school and barn with artifacts[37] [38]
Lake Poinsett Visitor Center and Museum Brookings Northeast Local history website, area natural and cultural history, Native American artifacts, located in Lake Poinsett Recreation Area
De Smet Kingsbury Southeast Historic house website, operates guided tours of two original homes of the family of author Laura Ingalls Wilder, including the Ingalls House
Lennox Museum SoutheastLocal history [39]
Southeast Multiple website, exhibits include natural & cultural history, geology, exploration, Native Americans, steamboats
Little Village Farm Museum Minnehaha Southeast Agriculture Several barns and buildings with agriculture tools and equipment[40]
Kingsbury Southeast Historic house [41]
Lyman County Museum Southeast Local history [42] [43]
Major James McLaughlin Heritage Center Western Local history Local history, agriculture, Native Americans, Mahto Post Office, country school display[44]
Western Natural history Active paleontological dig site and museum with fossils of mammoths, ancient flora and fauna
McWhorter House Museum and Depot Northeast Local history [45] [46]
Mead Cultural Education CenterYanktonYanktonSoutheastLocal HistoryThe new location of the Dakota Territory Museum. Features permanent and traveling exhibits.
Northeast Historic house website, Victorian home of South Dakota's first governor, Arthur Calvin Mellette
Midland Pioneer Museum Central Local history Pioneer and railroad history and artifacts, open by appointment[47]
Miner County Rural Life Museum Southeast Local history Rural life displays, operated by the Miner County Historical Society[48] [49]
Western Military Includes visitor center, launch control center and a missile silo/launch facility
Mitchell Davison Southeast Archaeology Prehistoric Indian village archeological site and museum of artifacts
Moody County Museum and Research Center SoutheastLocal history Operated by the Moody County Historical Society[50]
Keystone Pennington Western Art National Memorial and sculpture of four U.S. Presidents carved into a mountain, includes Lincoln Borglum Museum with films and exhibits about sculptor Gutzon Borglum, the creation of Mount Rushmore and its workers, also the studio where Borglum worked
Rapid City Pennington Western Natural history Part of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, area fossils and minerals from around the world
Sioux Falls Minnehaha Southeast Art website, art exhibits in many media, art and crafts classes, children's art and play activities
Northeast Multiple website, features many buildings with exhibits of military, agricultural and pioneer life, antique tractors, cars, and mounted wildlife, restored historic buildings
National Museum of Woodcarving Custer Custer Western Art website, art and sculptures carved in wood
Vermillion Clay Southeast Music American, European, and non-Western instruments from all cultures and historical periods
Keystone Pennington Western Wax website, wax figures of U.S. presidents in historic moments
Newell Museum Western Local history Displays include a one-room school, log cabin, church, and barn, agriculture, family life, education, religion, Native Americans, the Fur Trade, military and toys[51]
Northeast History website, 75 ft climbing tower with interpretive center that features a great map by Joseph Nicollet, a documentary film and local art
Oglala Lakota College Historical Center Western Native American website, history of the Lakota people
Southeast Local history
Petrified Wood Park Western Multiple Includes sculptures and structures built from petrified wood and fossils and the Lemmon Pioneer Museum[52] [53]
Sioux Falls Minnehaha Southeast Historic house website, late 19th-century house and personal collections of Senator Richard F. Pettigrew
Central Historic house Operated by the Faulk County Historical Society, late 19th-century mansion, home of South Dakota's first Congressman[54] [55]
Western Multiple website, automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, National Rockhound Hall of Fame & Lapidary, tractors, antiques and collectibles, authentic prairie town that includes a railroad depot, bank, general store, gas station, church, school, camera shop, butcher shop and more
Western History website, antiques, decorative arts, tools, photos, operated by the Fall River County Historical Society
Pollock Visitor and Interpretive Center Central Local history [56]
Southeast Art Outdoor sculpture park
Central Historic house Early 20th century sod dwelling typical of area pioneers
Prayer Rock Museum Northeast Local history [57]
Northeast Historic house 1894 home of Gladys Pyle, the first elected woman U.S. senator[58]
Northeast Gallery that displays over 150 works by artist Terry Redlin
Scouter's Attic Museum Sioux Falls Minnehaha Southeast Scouting website, scout memorabilia including uniforms, equipment and promotional items
Sioux Empire Medical Museum Sioux Falls Minnehaha Southeast Medical Located in the concourse below the Sanford USD Medical Center Lobby[59]
Southeast Local history website, part of Dakota State University, operated by the Lake County Historical Society
Western US Air Force and South Dakota aviation history
HamlinSoutheast Hall of fame - Sports
Brookings Brookings Northeast website, collections include works by Harvey Dunn and Paul Goble (writer and illustrator)Paul Goble, Native American cultural artifacts, Marghab linens, part of South Dakota State University
Central History Operated by the South Dakota Historical Society, state history and culture
Central Science Hands-on Science Center website
Central Hall of fame - History Honors those who contributed to the progress, way of life, and values of the South Dakota
Central Military website, history and memorabilia of the South Dakota National Guard
Western Open air website, includes over 30 building with historic artifacts and rodeo star Casey Tibbs Museum
Brookings Brookings Northeast Agriculture website, part of South Dakota State University, exhibits include tractors and farm equipment, an original 1882 homestead claim shack, and a recreated 1915 farmhouse. Abundant historic photographs enhance the understanding of South Dakota's rural qualities.
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology APEX Gallery Rapid City Pennington Western Art Located in Classroom Building 211, hosts a new exhibit every four to six weeks[60]
Central History Tours include the capitol and First Lady Gown Collection
Hill City Pennington Western Railroad website, railroad memorabilia, model trains from across South Dakota and Mid-America
Central Agriculture website, historic tractors and other farm machinery
Spink County Museum Northeast Local history [61]
Springfield College Museum Bon Homme Southeast Local history Memorabilia from the college known as Southern State College that was located in Springfield from 1896 to 1984[62]
Springfield Historical Society Museum Springfield Bon Homme Southeast Local history [63]
Northeast Historic house website, early 20th-century Victorian period home of a Norwegian immigrant family
Western Transportation Features vintage and rare V-twin and metric motorcycles
Telstar Mustang Shelby Cobra Restorations & Museum Southeast Automotive website, privately owned, fully restored collection of Mustangs, Shelby & Cobra automobiles
Timber Lake and Area Museum Central Local history website, includes fossils, Native American artifacts, period displays
Western Local history website, operate by the Edgemont Area Historical Society
Western American West website, early pioneer, rodeo, and old west history of the Tri-State region of Western South Dakota, Eastern Wyoming and Southeast Montana
Tripp County Historical Society Museum Southeast Local history [64] [65]
Union County Museum Union Southeast Local history Operated by the Union County Historical Society[66]
University of South Dakota Art Galleries Vermillion Clay Southeast Art John A. Day Gallery, Gallery 110, Oscar Howe Gallery, University Libraries exhibits[67]
Vancura Park Bon Homme Southeast Open air Includes Czech Museum, chapel, jail, store, log school and log house in the Czech Pioneer Village, and the Blachnik Museum with handmade crafts[68] [69]
Verendrye Museum Central Local history [70]
Hill City Pennington Western Mining website, modern gold mill and antique mining museum
Southeast Multiple Includes the Kirby Science Discover Center and Visual Arts Center with galleries
Vermillion Clay Southeast Multiple website, natural history displays, Native American and pioneer artifacts
Willow Lake Community Museum Northeast Local history website
Western Natural history Visitor center includes three rooms with exhibits about the geology of the caves, the park's natural and cultural history
Pennington Western Native American website, history of the Wounded Knee Massacre

Defunct museums

See also

Resources

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Member Museum Details Armed Forces Military Display and Gifts. Association of South Dakota Museums. 15 December 2014.
  2. Web site: Armed Forces Display and Gifts. Museums USA. 15 December 2014.
  3. Web site: Art Galleries and Exhibits. Augustana College. 15 December 2014.
  4. Web site: Historical Museum. Plankintin, SD. 17 December 2014.
  5. Web site: Official site. Clay County Historical Society. 15 December 2014.
  6. Web site: Bon Homme Heritage Museum. Association of South Dakota Museums. 15 December 2014.
  7. Web site: Brookings County Museum. Glacial Lakes & Prairies Tourism Association of Northeast South Dakota. 17 December 2014.
  8. Web site: Buffalo Historical Museum. Association of South Dakota Museums. 16 December 2014.
  9. Web site: Cecil & Phyllis Melcher Museum. Association of South Dakota Museums. 15 December 2014.
  10. Web site: Dakotaland Museum. Association of South Dakota Museums. 15 December 2014.
  11. Web site: Museums. City of Huron, South Dakota. 15 December 2014.
  12. Web site: Daneville Heritage Museum. Association of South Dakota Museums. 17 December 2014.
  13. Web site: Day County Museum. Association of South Dakota Museums. 16 December 2014.
  14. Web site: Attractions. Webster, SD. 17 December 2014.
  15. Web site: Attractions. DeSmet, South Dakota. 16 December 2014.
  16. Web site: Clear Lake Museum. Clear Lake Historical Society. 17 December 2014.
  17. Web site: Cheryl's Doll House. City of Lennox, SD. 17 December 2014.
  18. Web site: Donald Christman Toy Museum. Lake Norden, SD. 17 December 2014.
  19. Web site: History. Armour, SD. 16 December 2014.
  20. Web site: Elkton Museum and Historical Society. Association of South Dakota Museums. 15 December 2014.
  21. Web site: Eureka Pioneer Museum. Eureka, SD. 17 December 2014.
  22. Web site: Pickler Mansion/Historical Society. Jody Moritz. 16 December 2014.
  23. Web site: Frederick Area Historical Society. Glacial Lakes & Prairies Tourism Association. 17 December 2014.
  24. Web site: Garretson Area Historical Society Museum. Association of South Dakota Museums. 17 December 2014.
  25. Web site: The Geddes Historic Village. Charles Mix County Historical Restoration Society. 15 December 2014.
  26. Web site: Charles Mix County Historical Restoration Society. Association of South Dakota Museums. 15 December 2014.
  27. Web site: Attractions. Milbank, SD. 17 December 2014.
  28. Web site: Gregory County Historical Society. Association of South Dakota Museums. 17 December 2014.
  29. Web site: Harry's Antique Safe Museum. Association of South Dakota Museums. 16 December 2014.
  30. Web site: Hermosa Arts and History Museum. Association of South Dakota Museums. 16 December 2014.
  31. Web site: Official site. Hermosa Arts & History Association. 16 December 2014.
  32. Web site: Attractions. Millbank, SD. 17 December 2014.
  33. Web site: Dunham Historical Society/ Jerauld County Pioneer Museum. Association of South Dakota Museums. 16 December 2014.
  34. Web site: About the Jerauld County Heritage Museum. True Dakotan. 16 December 2014.
  35. Web site: J.W. Parmley Historical Home Society. Association of South Dakota Museums. 16 December 2014.
  36. Web site: J.W. Parmley Historical Home and Museum. Ipswich, SD. 17 December 2014.
  37. Web site: Lake Norden Historical Society. Association of South Dakota Museums. 16 December 2014.
  38. Web site: Lake Norden Historical Society Museums. Lake Norden, SD. 17 December 2014.
  39. Web site: Lennox Museum. City of Lennox, SD. 17 December 2014.
  40. Web site: Little Village Farm Museum. Association of South Dakota Museums. 17 December 2014.
  41. Web site: Loriks Peterson Heritage House. Association of South Dakota Museums. 16 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924095702/http://www.sdmuseums.org/museums/museum_page.php?museumid=13. 24 September 2015. dead.
  42. Web site: Lyman County Museum Since 1961 Trash or Treasure ... Memtoes and Memories. Lyman County South Dakota's Genealogy. 17 December 2014.
  43. Web site: Lyman County Historical Museum Lyman County Historical Museum. Chamber of Commerce.com. 17 December 2014.
  44. Web site: Major James McLaughlin Heritage Center. Association of South Dakota Museums. 16 December 2014.
  45. Web site: McWhorter House Museum and Depot. Turtle Creek Communications. 17 December 2014.
  46. Web site: McWhorter House Museum and Depot. Glacial Lakes & Prairies Tourism Association. 17 December 2014.
  47. Web site: Attractions. Midland, SD. 16 December 2014.
  48. Web site: Miner County Rural Life Museum. Association of South Dakota Museums. 16 December 2014.
  49. Web site: Facebook site. Miner County Historical Society. 16 December 2014.
  50. Web site: Official site. Moody County Museum and Research Center. 17 December 2014.
  51. Web site: Newell Museum. Association of South Dakota Museums. 15 December 2014.
  52. Web site: Petrified Wood Park. Roadside America. 16 December 2014.
  53. Web site: Petrified Wood Park. TripAdvisor. 16 December 2014.
  54. Web site: Pickler Mansion. Faulkton, SD. 16 December 2014.
  55. Web site: Faulk County Historical Society. Association of South Dakota Museums. 16 December 2014.
  56. Web site: Pollock Visitor and Interpretive Center. Association of South Dakota Museums. 15 December 2014.
  57. Web site: Prayer Rock Museum. Glacial Lakes & Prairies Tourism Association of Northeast South Dakota. 17 December 2014.
  58. Web site: Museums. City of Huron, South Dakota. 15 December 2014.
  59. Web site: Sioux Empire Medical Museum. Association of South Dakota Museums. 17 December 2014.
  60. Web site: APEX Gallery. South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. 15 December 2014.
  61. Web site: Department. Spink County South Dakota. 16 December 2014.
  62. Web site: Springfield College Museum. Association of South Dakota Museums. 15 December 2014.
  63. Web site: Springfield Historical Society. Association of South Dakota Museums. 15 December 2014.
  64. Web site: Official site. Tripp County Historical Society Museum. 17 December 2014.
  65. Web site: Tripp County Historical Society. Association of South Dakota Museums. 17 December 2014.
  66. Web site: Union County Museum. Union County Historical Society. 16 December 2014.
  67. Web site: Art Galleries. University of South Dakota. 15 December 2014.
  68. Web site: Attractions. Tabor Czech Days. 15 December 2014.
  69. Web site: Historic Tabor. Bon Homme County. 15 December 2014.
  70. Web site: Verendrye Museum. City of Fort Pierre.
  71. Web site: McCook County Resources. McCook County South Dakota Genealogy. 16 December 2014. McCook County Museum and Historical Society. Unfortunately the museum was closed and all resources were returned to their owners..
  72. http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/1182{{Dead link|date=March 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Roadside America report
  73. Web site: Mitchell, SD - Hot Air Ballooning Museum (Closed).

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