List of museums in North Dakota facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Welcome to a list of awesome museums in North Dakota, USA! Museums are special places that collect and take care of cool stuff like old objects, art, science experiments, or things from history. They let everyone come and see these collections. This list doesn't include museums that are only online.

Explore North Dakota's Cool Museums
Museums That Are No Longer Open
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Explore North Dakota's Cool Museums

North Dakota has many interesting museums. They cover everything from dinosaurs and airplanes to old farms and pioneer villages. Let's explore some of the best places to visit!

History and Pioneer Life Museums

Many museums in North Dakota show what life was like long ago. You can see old buildings, tools, and learn about the people who lived there.

Historic Villages and Open-Air Museums

Bonanzaville, USA in West Fargo: This huge outdoor museum has over 40 historic buildings on 12 acres. You can see old aircraft, cars, farm equipment, and even museums about police, doctors, and firefighters. It's like stepping back in time!
Buckstop Junction in Bismarck: A historic village on 20 acres, showing what life was like in the past.
Divide County Museum in Crosby: This pioneer village includes two churches, a schoolhouse, a print shop, a general store, and a blacksmith shop.
Flickertail Village Museum in Stanley: Another open-air museum where you can explore historic buildings.
Frontier Village in Jamestown: A re-created prairie town with 24 buildings, including an art gallery and the writing shack of author Louis L'Amour.
Heritage Park Museum in Garrison: Features a train depot, a country school, a church, and two furnished homestead houses.
Lake County Historical Society Pioneer Village and Museum in Kenmare: This village has 22 buildings on 5 acres, showing pioneer life.
Logan County Historical Society in Napoleon: An open-air museum with historical displays.
Manfred Heritage Museum in Manfred: Another open-air museum showing local history.
McLeod Museum Complex in McLeod: Includes a local history museum in a church, a one-room schoolhouse, and a homestead house.
McKenzie County Heritage Park in Watford City: An open-air park dedicated to the county's heritage.
Prairie Village Museum in Rugby: This museum has a pioneer village, classic cars, antique tools, farm equipment, and Native American artifacts.
Ransom County Historical Museum in Fort Ransom: Features a flour mill, a historic house, and a one-room schoolhouse.
Rolette County Historical Society Museum in St. John: An open-air museum with historical buildings.
Scandinavian Heritage Park in Minot: This unique park has replica buildings and exhibits from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland.
Stump Lake Village Pioneer Museum in Pekin: A pioneer village operated by the Nelson County Historical Society.
Traill County Museum Complex in Hillsboro: Includes an 1897 period house, a log cabin, and collections about military, school, and agriculture.
Walsh County Historical Museum in Minto: Features a trading post, a country school, a log cabin, and a complete main street with shops.
Ward County Historical Society Pioneer Village in Burlington: Another pioneer village with historical displays.

Historic Houses and Farms

Bagg Bonanza Farm in Mooreton: See historic buildings and machinery from a large "bonanza farm" of the past.
Chateau de Mores State Historic Site in Medora: Explore a late 19th-century period house.
Former Governors' Mansion in Bismarck: This 1893 mansion was home to 20 North Dakota governors.
Gingras Trading Post State Historic Site in Walhalla: A mid-19th century fur trading post and house.
Hatton-Eielson Museum in Hatton: The childhood home of polar aviator Carl Ben Eielson, also showing local history.
Ludwig and Christina Welk Homestead in Strasburg: The turn-of-the-20th-century farmhouse where orchestra leader Lawrence Welk was born.
Schulstad Stone House Museum in Forbes: A 1907 period house, open by appointment.
Theodore Roosevelt's Maltese Cross Cabin in Medora: This cabin was used by Theodore Roosevelt before he became president, located in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

General and Local History Museums

Barnes County History Museum in Valley City: Learn about the history of Barnes County.
Billings County Museum in Medora: Located in the old county courthouse, it tells the story of Billings County.
Bottineau County Historical Museum in Bottineau: Discover the history of Bottineau County.
Bowdon Centennial Museum in Bowdon: Focuses on the history of Bowdon.
Cavalier County Museum in Langdon: Learn about Cavalier County's past.
Coleman Museum in Ellendale: Operated by the Ellendale Historical Society.
Dakota Buttes Museum in Hettinger: Explores the history of the Dakota Buttes area.
Dickey County Heritage Center in Oakes: Operated by the Dickey County Historical Society.
Douglas Centennial Museum in Douglas: Open by appointment, focusing on local history.
Dunn County Historical Museum in Dunn Center: Features American Indian, Western, farm machinery, and military artifacts.
Eddy County Museum in New Rockford: Includes a school, church, and depot with historic furnishings.
Emmons County Museum in Linton: Displays schoolroom items, saddles, toys, clothing, and military items.
Enderlin Museum in Enderlin: Learn about the history of Enderlin.
Foster County Museum in Carrington: Explores the history of Foster County.
Frontier Fort and Wildlife Museum in Jamestown: Has wildlife displays, American Indian exhibits, and local history.
Frontier Museum in Williston: Open by appointment, with a rural church, house, depot, and displays from the 1920s to 1950s.
Goose River Heritage Center Museum in Mayville: Features period displays, open seasonally.
Grand Forks County Historical Society in Grand Forks: Includes the Myra Museum of local history, a 1900 period house, and a schoolhouse.
Grassy Butte Post Office in Grassy Butte: A Ukrainian-type log building that was once a post office, open in summer.
Griggs County Museum in Cooperstown: Learn about the history of Griggs County.
Hampden History Museum in Hampden: Focuses on the history of Hampden.
Hettinger County Historical Society Museum in Regent: Explores the history of Hettinger County.
Lake Region Heritage Center in Devils Lake: Displays a pioneer doctor's room, an early law office, and Native American beadwork.
LaMoure County Museum in LaMoure: Learn about the history of LaMoure County.
Larimore Community Museum in Larimore: Focuses on the history of Larimore.
Lewis and Clark Trail Museum in Alexander: Exhibits include a Lewis and Clark Expedition diorama, antiques, and homestead artifacts.
Lidgerwood Community Museum in Lidgerwood: Explores the history of Lidgerwood.
Litchville Community Museum in Litchville: Focuses on the history of Litchville.
Manvel Museum in Manvel: Learn about the history of Manvel.
McLean County Historical Society Museums in Washburn: Includes a main museum with local history, natural history, and cultural exhibits.
Mercer County Historical Museum in Beulah: Explores the history of Mercer County.
Minnewaukan Museum in Minnewaukan: Focuses on the history of Minnewaukan.
Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center in Williston: Exhibits on the geography, geology, and history of the area where the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers meet.
Norseman Museum in Tioga: Learn about the history of Tioga.
North Dakota Heritage Center in Bismarck: This is the official state history museum, with many exhibits about North Dakota's past.
North Dakota Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Washburn: Learn about the Lewis and Clark Expedition in North Dakota and the area's fur trade.
Northwood Pioneer Museum in Northwood: Focuses on pioneer history.
Ox Cart Trails Historical Society Museum in Drayton: Explores the history of ox cart trails.
Pembina County Historical Museum in Cavalier: Focuses on agricultural history.
Pembina State Museum in Pembina: Learn about the cultural and natural history of the area.
Pioneer Museum of McKenzie County in Watford City: Located in the Long X Trading Post Visitor Center.
Pioneer Trails Museum in Hanks: Explores local pioneer history.
Pioneer Trails Regional Museum in Bowman: A regional museum focusing on local history.
Plaza Community Museum in Plaza: Focuses on the history of Plaza.
Ray Opera House Museum in Ray: Exhibits include musical instruments, pioneer artifacts, and African artifacts.
Renville County Museum in Mohall: Explores the history of Renville County.
Richland County Historical Museum in Wahpeton: Learn about the history of Richland County.
Ryder Historical Museums in Ryder: Focuses on the history of Ryder.
Sargent County Museum in Forman: Explores the history of Sargent County.
Shimmin Tveit Museum in Forbes: Focuses on local history.
Steele County Museum in Hope: Operated by the Steele County Historical Society.
Stutsman County Memorial Museum in Jamestown: Located in the beautiful Lutz Mansion, with period rooms and local history displays.
Tofthagen Library and Museum in Lakota: Focuses on local history.
Wimbledon Community Museum in Wimbledon: Features antiques and period displays.
Wells County Museum in Fessenden: Open during the Wells County Fair and by appointment.

Science, Nature, and Animals

Badlands Dinosaur Museum in Dickinson: See real fossils and cool dinosaur replicas, plus rocks, minerals, and meteorites!
Gateway to Science in Bismarck: A hands-on science center where you can do experiments and learn by doing.
Pfennig Wildlife Museum in Beulah: See animal mounts from all over the world.
Paul Broste Rock Museum in Parshall: A unique museum dedicated to rocks and minerals.
National Buffalo Museum in Jamestown: Learn about the cultural and historical importance of the North American bison (buffalo) in Plains culture. You can even see live buffalo here!

Art Museums and Galleries

Bismarck State College Galleries in Bismarck: Features the Elsa Forde Gallery and Gannon Gallery with various art exhibits.
Dickinson State University Art Gallery in Dickinson: Located in Klinefelter Hall, showcasing art.
Empire Arts Center in Grand Forks: A center for art.
James Memorial Art Center in Williston: A community art center.
Memorial Union Gallery at North Dakota State University in Fargo: Shows changing exhibits and art from its collection, including works by famous artists like Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso.
North Dakota Museum of Art in Grand Forks: Features contemporary Native American and international art.
Northern Lights Art Gallery in Mayville: A non-profit gallery showing regional art.
Northwest Art Center in Minot: Part of Minot State University, with two galleries showing local, regional, national, and international artists.
Plains Art Museum in Fargo: Collections include contemporary, Native American, and folk art.
Taube Museum of Art in Minot: Focuses on visual art from the area.

Military and Aviation Museums

Camp Hancock State Historic Site in Bismarck: Learn about the history of a mid-19th century infantry post.
Dakota Territory Air Museum in Minot: See civilian and military aircraft, photos, and memorabilia.
Fargo Air Museum in Fargo: Another great place to see airplanes and learn about aviation.
Fort Abercrombie State Historic Site in Abercrombie: A restored fort with a museum.
Fort Buford State Historic Site in Williston: A restored fort with a museum.
Fort Mandan in Washburn: A reconstructed stockade fort.
Fort Stevenson State Park in Garrison: Includes the Fort Stevenson Guardhouse Interpretive Center, with artifacts and history of the fort.
Fort Totten State Historic Site in Fort Totten: A restored fort and the Lake Region Pioneer Daughters Museum.
North Dakota Maritime Museum in Devils Lake: Displays U.S. Navy uniforms, posters, medals, and photos, mostly from World War II.
Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile State Historic Site in Cooperstown: Visit two former missile sites, including the Oscar-Zero Missile Alert Facility.

Native American Culture Museums

Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site in Stanton: Includes a museum, sites of Northern Plains Indian villages, and a reconstructed earth lodge.
Three Affiliated Tribes Museum in New Town: Learn about the history and culture of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara people.
Turtle Mountain Chippewa Indian Heritage Center in Belcourt: Located on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation, this center shares the heritage of the Chippewa people.

Transportation and Industry Museums

Elgin Museum in Elgin: Located in a historic depot, focusing on railroad history.
Hawk Museum in Wolford: Features antique tractors, farm equipment, and implements.
Makoti Threshers Museum in Makoti: Open by appointment, with a pioneer village and transportation and farm equipment, including steam engines and old cars.
McHenry Railroad Loop in McHenry: Offers train rides and a museum about railroads.
Midland Continental Depot Transportation Museum in Wimbledon: A historic depot with exhibits about the railroad and local singer Peggy Lee.
North Dakota State Railroad Museum in Mandan: Learn about the history of railroads in North Dakota.
Old Soo Depot Transportation Museum in Minot: Covers the history of transportation in the American West, including railroads, automobiles, and aviation.
Railroad Museum of Minot in Minot: Displays railroad cars, equipment, uniforms, and memorabilia.

Sports and Special Interest Museums

Maury Wills Museum in Fargo: Learn about the life of baseball player Maury Wills, located at Newman Outdoor Field.
North American Game Warden Museum in Dunseith: Located in the International Peace Garden, this museum shows the work of game wardens and conservation officers.
North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame in Medora: Explore the history and culture of the American West, including cowboys, Native Americans, ranching, and rodeo.
North Dakota Firefighters Museum in Garrison: Learn about the history of firefighting.
North Dakota Fishing Hall of Fame in Garrison: Housed at North Country Marine & Motorsports, with photos and fishing gear.
Rosebud School Museum in Fullerton: A 1901 country school.
Toy Farmer Museum in LaMoure: Features toy farm equipment.
V & R Toy Museum in Kenmare: Includes farm toys, construction toys, trucks, and handmade toys, open by appointment.
Victorian Dress Museum in Rugby: Displays reproduction Victorian-style dresses and accessories.

Multiple Focus Museums

Buffalo Trails Museum in Epping: Includes a homesteader's log cabin, a dentist's office, and a country school.
Dickinson Museum Center in Dickinson: This center includes the Badlands Dinosaur Museum, the Joachim Regional Museum (local history and art), the Pioneer Machinery Museum, and the outdoor Prairie Outpost Park with historic village buildings.
Fort Abraham Lincoln in Mandan: Has exhibits about the fort and the Mandan tribe, the On-A-Slant Indian Village, and an 1870s Custer House.
Fort Ransom State Park in Fort Ransom: Displays about 19th-century sodbusters and Mound Builders, plus two homesteader farms.

Museums That Are No Longer Open

Cass County Pioneer Village, Ayr
Children's Museum at Yunker Farm, Fargo