List of museums in North Dakota facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

North Dakota is a state in the United States. It is home to many interesting museums! A museum is a special place where people collect and take care of important objects. These objects can be about history, art, science, or culture. Museums then show these collections to the public. This list will tell you about some of the cool museums you can visit in North Dakota. We won't include museums that are only online.

Awesome Museums to Explore
Museums That Are No Longer Open
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Awesome Museums to Explore

North Dakota has many different kinds of museums. You can find places that show you what life was like long ago, museums filled with amazing art, and even museums about dinosaurs or airplanes!

History and Pioneer Life

These museums help you step back in time and learn about the past.

Bagg Bonanza Farm in Mooreton: See historic farm buildings and old machinery from a huge farm called a "bonanza farm."
Barnes County History Museum in Valley City: Learn about the history of Barnes County.
Billings County Museum in Medora: This museum is in an old courthouse and tells the story of Billings County.
Bonanzaville, USA in West Fargo: This is a big outdoor museum! It has over 40 historic buildings on 12 acres. You can see old airplanes, cars, farm equipment, and even visit old shops and houses.
Buckstop Junction in Bismarck: Explore a historic village on 20 acres. It's like walking into the past!
Buffalo Trails Museum in Epping: This museum has a homesteader's log cabin, an old dentist's office, and a country school.
Camp Hancock State Historic Site in Bismarck: Discover the history of a military post from the mid-1800s.
Chateau de Mores State Historic Site in Medora: Visit a fancy house from the late 1800s, set up just as it was back then.
Coleman Museum in Ellendale: Learn about the local history of Ellendale.
Dickey County Heritage Center in Oakes: Explore the history of Dickey County.
Dunn County Historical Museum in Dunn Center: See items from American Indian history, the Old West, farms, and more.
Eddy County Museum in New Rockford: This museum has an old school, church, and train depot with historic items.
Emmons County Museum in Linton: See old schoolroom displays, saddles, toys, clothes, and military items.
Former Governors' Mansion in Bismarck: This historic house from 1893 was home to 20 North Dakota governors.
Fort Abercrombie State Historic Site in Abercrombie: Visit a restored fort and its museum.
Fort Abraham Lincoln in Mandan: See exhibits about the fort and the Mandan tribe. You can also visit the On-A-Slant Indian Village and the Custer House from the 1870s.
Fort Buford State Historic Site in Williston: Explore a restored fort and its museum.
Fort Mandan in Washburn: See a reconstructed fort where Lewis and Clark stayed.
Fort Ransom State Park in Fort Ransom: Learn about 19th-century sodbusters (early farmers) and Mound Builders.
Fort Seward in Jamestown: See items found from archaeological digs at this fort site.
Fort Stevenson State Park in Garrison: Visit the Fort Stevenson Guardhouse Interpretive Center to learn about the fort's history.
Fort Totten State Historic Site in Fort Totten: This is a restored fort with the Lake Region Pioneer Daughters Museum.
Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site in Williston: Learn about fur trading with living history presentations.
Frontier Fort and Wildlife Museum in Jamestown: This museum has wildlife displays, American Indian exhibits, and farm tools.
Frontier Museum in Williston: See a rural church, house, train depot, and school from the 1920s to 1950s.
Frontier Village in Jamestown: Explore a re-created prairie town with 24 buildings, including an art gallery.
Gingras Trading Post State Historic Site in Walhalla: Visit a fur trading post and house from the mid-1800s.
Goose River Heritage Center Museum in Mayville: See displays from different time periods.
Grand Forks Historical Society in Grand Forks: This complex includes the Myra Museum (local history), a 1900s house, a post office, and a schoolhouse.
Grassy Butte Post Office in Grassy Butte: This old log building was once a post office.
Griggs County Museum in Cooperstown: Learn about the history of Griggs County.
Hatton-Eielson Museum in Hatton: This was the childhood home of polar aviator Carl Ben Eielson. It also shows city history.
Heritage Park Museum in Garrison: This outdoor museum has a train depot, country school, church, and two furnished homestead houses.
Hettinger County Historical Society Museum in Regent: Learn about the local history of Hettinger County.
Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site in Stanton: See a museum about Northern Plains Indians villages and a reconstructed earth lodge.
Lake County Historical Society Pioneer Village and Museum in Kenmare: Explore 22 historic buildings on 5 acres.
Lake Region Heritage Center in Devils Lake: See a pioneer doctor's room, an old courtroom, and Native American beadwork.
Lewis and Clark Trail Museum in Alexander: Features a diorama of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, antiques, and homestead items.
Ludwig and Christina Welk Homestead in Strasburg: Visit the farmhouse where orchestra leader Lawrence Welk was born.
McLeod Museum Complex in McLeod: This outdoor museum has a local history museum in a church, a schoolhouse, a depot, and farm machinery.
McLean County Historical Society Museums in Washburn: This complex includes a main museum with local and natural history, an old courthouse, a schoolhouse, and a cabin.
Melzer Museum in Woodworth: See a historic doctor's office and American Indian photography.
Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center in Williston: Learn about the land and history where the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers meet.
National Buffalo Museum in Jamestown: Discover the importance of the North American bison (buffalo) to Plains culture. You can even see live buffalo!
North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame in Medora: Learn about the history of the American West, including cowboys, Native Americans, ranching, and rodeos.
North Dakota Heritage Center in Bismarck: This is the official state history museum, with lots to see about North Dakota's past.
North Dakota Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Washburn: Focuses on the Lewis and Clark Expedition in North Dakota and the fur trade.
Northwood Pioneer Museum in Northwood: Learn about local pioneer history.
Ox Cart Trails Historical Society Museum in Drayton: Explore the history of the ox cart trails.
Pembina County Historical Museum in Cavalier: Focuses on agriculture in the area.
Pembina State Museum in Pembina: Learn about the cultural and natural history of the area.
Pioneer Heritage Center at Icelandic State Park in Cavalier: An outdoor museum at a state park.
Pioneer Museum of McKenzie County in Watford City: Located in the Long X Trading Post Visitor Center.
Pioneer Trails Museum in Hanks: Learn about local pioneer history.
Pioneer Trails Regional Museum in Bowman: Explore the history of the region.
Prairie Village Museum in Rugby: This outdoor museum has a pioneer village, classic cars, antique tools, farm equipment, and Native American items.
Ransom County Historical Museum in Fort Ransom: Includes a flour mill, historic house, and schoolhouse.
Ray Opera House Museum in Ray: See musical instruments, pioneer items, and African artifacts.
Rolette County Historical Society Museum in St. John: An outdoor museum with historical buildings.
Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile State Historic Site in Cooperstown: Visit two former missile sites, including the Oscar-Zero Missile Alert Facility.
Rosebud School Museum in Fullerton: This is a country school from 1901.
Ryder Historical Museums in Ryder: Learn about the local history of Ryder.
Sargent County Museum in Forman: Explore the history of Sargent County.
Scandinavian Heritage Park in Minot: See replica buildings and learn about the cultures of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland.
Schulstad Stone House Museum in Forbes: A historic house from 1907.
Shimmin Tveit Museum in Forbes: Learn about local history.
Steele County Museum in Hope: Discover the history of Steele County.
Stump Lake Village Pioneer Museum in Pekin: An outdoor pioneer village.
Stutsman County Memorial Museum in Jamestown: Located in the beautiful Lutz Mansion, with period rooms and local history displays.
Theodore Roosevelt's Maltese Cross Cabin in Medora: Visit the cabin used by Theodore Roosevelt before he became president.
Three Affiliated Tribes Museum in New Town: Learn about the history and culture of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara people.
Tofthagen Library and Museum in Lakota: Learn about local history.
Traill County Museum Complex in Hillsboro: Includes an 1897 house, a log cabin, and collections about military, school, and pioneer life.
Turtle Mountain Chippewa Indian Heritage Center in Belcourt: Learn about the heritage of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa.
Walsh County Historical Museum in Minto: This outdoor museum has a trading post, school, log cabin, and a main street with shops.
Ward County Historical Society Pioneer Village in Burlington: An outdoor pioneer village.
Wells County Museum in Fessenden: Learn about local history.
Wimbledon Community Museum in Wimbledon: See antiques and displays from different time periods.

Art and Culture Museums

These museums are great for seeing beautiful art and learning about different cultures.

Bismarck State College Galleries in Bismarck: See art exhibits at the Elsa Forde Gallery and Gannon Gallery.
Dickinson State University Art Gallery in Dickinson: Located in Klinefelter Hall, this gallery shows various art.
Empire Arts Center in Grand Forks: A center for art and performances.
Memorial Union Gallery at North Dakota State University in Fargo: See changing art exhibits, including works by famous artists like Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso.
North Dakota Museum of Art in Grand Forks: This museum has collections of modern 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, and international artists.
Plains Art Museum in Fargo: Collections include modern, Native American, and folk art.
Taube Museum of Art in Minot: Features visual art from the area.

Science and Special Interest Museums

These museums focus on specific topics like science, transportation, or unique collections.

Badlands Dinosaur Museum in Dickinson: See fossils, dinosaur models, rocks, minerals, and meteorites!
Children's Museum at Yunker Farm in Fargo: A fun place designed for kids to learn and play.
Dakota Territory Air Museum in Minot: See civilian and military aircraft, photos, and aviation items.
Dickinson Museum Center in Dickinson: This center includes the Badlands Dinosaur Museum, a local history museum, a machinery museum, and an outdoor park with historic buildings.
Divide County Museum in Crosby: An outdoor pioneer village with churches, a schoolhouse, and shops.
Elgin Museum in Elgin: Located in a historic train depot, this museum is about railroads.
Fargo Air Museum in Fargo: Another great place to see airplanes and learn about aviation.
Gateway to Science in Bismarck: A hands-on science center where you can explore and experiment.
Hawk Museum in Wolford: Features antique tractors, farm equipment, and tools.
James Memorial Art Center in Williston: A community art center.
Makoti Threshers Museum in Makoti: An outdoor pioneer village with transportation and farm equipment, including steam engines and old cars.
McHenry Railroad Loop in McHenry: See a railroad loop and museum, and even take train rides!
Midland Continental Depot Transportation Museum in Wimbledon: Learn about the Midland Continental Railroad and local singer Peggy Lee.
Minnewaukan Museum in Minnewaukan: Learn about local history.
National Buffalo Museum in Jamestown: Focuses on the cultural and historical importance of the North American bison.
North American Game Warden Museum in Dunseith: Learn about the work of game wardens and conservation officers.
North Dakota Firefighters Museum in Garrison: See firefighting equipment and learn about the history of firefighters.
North Dakota Fishing Hall of Fame in Garrison: Features photos, fishing gear, and equipment.
North Dakota Maritime Museum in Devils Lake: Displays U.S. Navy uniforms, posters, medals, and photos, mostly from World War II.
North Dakota State Capitol in Bismarck: You can take guided tours of the state capitol building to learn about its history.
North Dakota State Railroad Museum in Mandan: Learn about railroads in North Dakota.
Old Soo Depot Transportation Museum in Minot: Discover the history of transportation in the American West, including railroads, cars, and aviation.
Paul Broste Rock Museum in Parshall: See amazing rocks and minerals.
Pfennig Wildlife Museum in Beulah: Features animal mounts from all over the world.
Plaza Community Museum in Plaza: Learn about local history.
Railroad Museum of Minot in Minot: See railroad cars, equipment, and uniforms.
Roger Maris Museum in Fargo: Learn about the life of baseball player Roger Maris.
Toy Farmer Museum in LaMoure: A museum filled with toy farm equipment!
V & R Toy Museum in Kenmare: Features farm toys, construction toys, trucks, and handmade toys.
Victorian Dress Museum in Rugby: See beautiful reproduction Victorian-style dresses and accessories.

Museums That Are No Longer Open

Cass County Pioneer Village, Ayr