List of museums in South Dakota facts for kids

This list of museums in South Dakota helps you discover places where you can explore history, art, science, and culture. Museums are special places that collect and take care of interesting objects. These objects can be anything from old tools and clothes to amazing artworks, dinosaur bones, or even space rocks! They make these collections available for everyone to see and learn from.

Cool Museums to Explore

• 1881 Courthouse Museum in Custer: This museum is in an old courthouse from 1881. It shares the history of Custer County.
• Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve in McCook Lake: This outdoor park has the historic Shay-Adams Home with old furniture, a barn, a country school, and a church. It's like stepping back in time!
• Adams Museum & House in Deadwood: Learn about the Wild West with exhibits on famous figures like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane.
• Akta Lakota Museum in Chamberlain: Discover the lives of the Plains Indians, especially the nomadic Lakota people.
• Armed Forces Military Display and Gifts in Wasta: This private museum shows military items from different wars, like World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.
• Augustana College Art Galleries in Sioux Falls: See different art collections, including works about the history and cultures of the Northern Plains.
• Austin-Whittemore House in Vermillion: Explore a late 19th-century house filled with Victorian furniture and local history items.
• Badlands National Park in Interior: The visitor center here has exhibits about the amazing geology, fossils, and natural history of the Badlands.
• Badlands Petrified Garden in Kadoka: Check out cool rocks, minerals, and fossils.
• Beauvais Heritage Museum in Clark: This outdoor museum complex has old buildings like a railroad depot, a settler's shanty, a pioneer church, and a school.
• Big Thunder Gold Mine in Keystone: Take a tour of a gold mine and visit the museum.
• Black Hills Mining Museum in Lead: Experience what it was like to mine for gold with simulated mine tours.
• Black Hills Museum of Natural History in Hill City: See fossils, dinosaurs, gems, minerals, and even meteorites!
• Borglum Historical Center in Keystone: Learn about Gutzon Borglum, the sculptor who created Mount Rushmore.
• Brookings County Museum in Volga: This museum features an 1870 log cabin, old farm equipment, antique tools, and a one-room country schoolhouse.
• Buechel Memorial Lakota Museum in St. Francis: Learn about the history of the Lakota people who live on the Rosebud Indian Reservation.
• Buffalo Interpretive Center in Fort Pierre: Discover the story of the buffalo and how important it was to the Native American cultures of the Great Plains.
• Campbell Original Straw Bale Built Museum in Carthage: This unique museum is located in a building made from straw bales!
• Carnegie Resource Center in Mitchell: See exhibits about local history and a collection of items from the famous Corn Palace.
• Casey Tibbs South Dakota Rodeo Center in Fort Pierre: Explore the history and memorabilia of South Dakota rodeo.
• Cecil & Phyllis Melcher Museum in Platte: This museum has dolls, South Dakota wildlife, toy tractors, cars, and a military room.
• Celebrity Hotel Memorabilia Display in Deadwood: Located in the Celebrity Hotel, this museum has celebrity items, cars, and motorcycles.
• Center for Western Studies in Sioux Falls: Part of Augustana College, this center has Native American artifacts, a replica Norwegian living room from the 1800s, and art.
• Chapel in the Hills in Rapid City: See a replica of a Norwegian stave church and a 19th-century Norwegian log cabin.
• Children's Museum of South Dakota in Brookings: A fun, interactive museum designed just for kids!
• Civilian Conservation Corps Museum of South Dakota in Hill City: Learn about the Civilian Conservation Corps, a program that helped people find work during the Great Depression.
• Classic Wheels Museum in Clark: This museum has antique vehicles, toy cars, and model trains.
• Codington County Heritage Museum in Watertown: Discover the history of Codington County and the surrounding region.
• Corn Palace in Mitchell: Learn about the history of this unique building, which is decorated with corn and other grains every year!
• Cramer Kenyon Heritage Home in Yankton: Tour an 1880s Victorian mansion.
• Crazy Horse Memorial in Crazy Horse: See the massive sculpture of Crazy Horse, and visit the Indian Museum of North America and the Native American Cultural Center.
• Custer State Park in Custer: The Peter Norbeck Center has exhibits on natural history and cultural heritage. You can also see Badger Hole, the historic home of poet Badger Clark.
• Dacotah Prairie Museum in Aberdeen: Explore the natural, cultural, and local history of the area.
• Dahl Arts Center in Rapid City: A great place to see different kinds of art.
• Dakota Discovery Museum in Mitchell: Located at Dakota Wesleyan University, this museum covers art, history, and culture.
• Dakota Sunset Museum in Gettysburg: This complex includes a museum, a country school, a carriage barn, and a blacksmith shop.
• Dakota Territorial Museum in Yankton: Learn about the history of the Dakota Territory. It's now inside the Mead Cultural Education Center.
• Days of '76 Museum in Deadwood: Discover the American West with horse-drawn vehicles, rodeo items, and Old West and American Indian art and artifacts.
• D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery in Spearfish: This former fish hatchery has a museum about the history and science of raising fish.
• Donald Christman Toy Museum in Lake Norden: See antique dishes, farm toys, and antique dolls.
• Douglas County Museum in Armour: This museum includes a Country School and a Railroad House.
• Fort Meade Museum in Sturgis: Learn about the history of Fort Meade, located in the former commanding officers' quarters.
• Fort Sisseton Historical Park in Lake City: Explore preserved fort buildings from 1864.
• Four Mile Old West Town in Custer: Walk through an old Western town with buildings like a saloon, general store, church, and sheriff's office.
• Granary Rural Cultural Center in Groton: A center for art in a rural setting.
• Grand River Museum in Lemmon: See local bronze sculptures, ranching items, Native American artifacts, fossils, and more.
• Harry's Antique Safe Museum in Mitchell: A unique collection of antique safes, farm toys, and toy race cars.
• Heritage Hall Museum in Freeman: This museum has natural history, pioneer tools, household items, antiques, toys, vehicles, and wildlife displays.
• Heritage Center of Red Cloud Indian School in Pine Ridge Indian Reservation: Learn about Lakota culture and Native art.
• High Plains Western Heritage Center in Spearfish: Explore Western art, historic artifacts, and memorabilia.
• Historic Adams House in Deadwood: Tour an 1892 mansion.
• Historic Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Depot in Redfield: See railroad items, model trains, and engines.
• Historic Prairie Village in Madison: This outdoor village has over 40 antique-filled buildings, old farm equipment, steam tractors, and a train.
• Hollands Grist Mill in Milbank: See a reconstructed grist mill.
• Ingalls Homestead in De Smet: Visit the homestead of Charles Ingalls, the father of author Laura Ingalls Wilder. You can see a dugout house and learn about pioneer activities.
• International Vinegar Museum in Roslyn: A very unique museum dedicated to vinegars from all over the world!
• Journey Museum and Gardens in Rapid City: This museum has collections related to the Western Great Plains, including local geology, archaeology, Native American culture, and pioneer history.
• Keystone Historical Museum in Keystone: Learn about the local history of Keystone.
• Klein Museum in Mobridge: Features pioneer and Native American artifacts.
• Lake Poinsett Visitor Center and Museum in Arlington: Learn about the natural and cultural history of the area, including Native American artifacts.
• Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society in De Smet: Take guided tours of two original homes of the family of author Laura Ingalls Wilder, including the Ingalls House.
• Lewis and Clark Center Visitor Center in Yankton: Exhibits cover natural and cultural history, geology, exploration, Native Americans, and steamboats.
• Little Village Farm Museum in Dell Rapids: See old farm tools and equipment in several barns and buildings.
• The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs: This is an active dig site and museum where you can see fossils of mammoths and other ancient animals and plants.
• Mead Cultural Education Center in Yankton: This is the new home of the Dakota Territory Museum, with permanent and traveling exhibits.
• Mellette House in Watertown: Tour the Victorian home of Arthur Calvin Mellette, South Dakota's first governor.
• Minuteman Missile National Historic Site in Jackson County: Explore a visitor center, a launch control center, and a missile silo from the Cold War era.
• Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village in Mitchell: Visit an archaeological site of a prehistoric Indian village and see a museum of artifacts found there.
• Mount Rushmore in Keystone: This famous national memorial features the sculpture of four U.S. Presidents. The Lincoln Borglum Museum has films and exhibits about the sculptor and the creation of Mount Rushmore.
• Museum of Geology in Rapid City: Part of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, this museum has fossils from the area and minerals from around the world.
• Museum of Visual Materials in Sioux Falls: Enjoy art exhibits, and participate in art and crafts classes and children's art activities.
• Museum of Wildlife, Science and Industry of NE South Dakota in Webster: This museum has many buildings with exhibits on military history, agriculture, pioneer life, antique tractors, cars, and mounted wildlife.
• National Museum of Woodcarving in Custer: See amazing art and sculptures carved in wood.
• National Music Museum in Vermillion: This museum has a huge collection of musical instruments from all over the world and from different historical periods.
• National Presidential Wax Museum in Keystone: See wax figures of U.S. presidents in famous historical moments.
• Newell Museum in Newell: Displays include a one-room school, a log cabin, a church, a barn, and exhibits on agriculture, family life, Native Americans, and toys.
• Nicollet Tower in Sisseton: Climb this 75-foot tower and visit the interpretive center with a map by Joseph Nicollet and a documentary film.
• Oglala Lakota College Historical Center in Kyle: Learn about the history of the Lakota people.
• Old Courthouse Museum in Sioux Falls: Explore the history of Minnehaha County in this old courthouse.
• Petrified Wood Park in Lemmon: See sculptures and structures built from petrified wood and fossils, and visit the Lemmon Pioneer Museum.
• Pettigrew Home & Museum in Sioux Falls: Tour a late 19th-century house and see the personal collections of Senator Richard F. Pettigrew.
• Pickler Mansion in Faulkton: Visit the late 19th-century mansion of South Dakota's first Congressman.
• Pioneer Auto Show in Murdo: See a huge collection of automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, tractors, antiques, and collectibles. There's also an authentic prairie town with a railroad depot, bank, and general store.
• Pioneer Historical Museum of South Dakota in Hot Springs: This museum has antiques, decorative arts, tools, and photos.
• Porter Sculpture Park in Montrose: An outdoor park filled with unique sculptures.
• Prairie Homestead in Philip: See an early 20th-century sod dwelling, typical of homes built by pioneers in the area.
• Pyle House in Huron: Tour the 1894 home of Gladys Pyle, the first woman elected as a U.S. senator.
• Redlin Art Center in Watertown: This art gallery displays over 150 works by the famous artist Terry Redlin.
• Scouter's Attic Museum in Sioux Falls: See scout memorabilia, including uniforms, equipment, and promotional items.
• Smith Zimmermann Heritage Museum in Madison: Learn about local history.
• South Dakota Air and Space Museum in Box Elder: Explore the history of the U.S. Air Force and aviation in South Dakota.
• South Dakota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame in Lake Norden: Celebrates amateur baseball in South Dakota and features memorabilia from South Dakotans who played Major League Baseball.
• South Dakota Art Museum in Brookings: See art collections, including works by Harvey Dunn and Paul Goble, Native American cultural artifacts, and more.
• South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre: Learn about the history and culture of South Dakota.
• South Dakota Discovery Center in Pierre: A hands-on science center where you can explore and experiment.
• South Dakota Hall of Fame in Chamberlain: Honors people who have made important contributions to South Dakota.
• South Dakota National Guard Museum in Pierre: Learn about the history and see memorabilia of the South Dakota National Guard.
• South Dakota's Original 1880 Town in Murdo: Walk through over 30 buildings filled with historic artifacts, and visit the Casey Tibbs Museum.
• South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum in Brookings: See tractors and farm equipment, an original 1882 homestead claim shack, and a recreated 1915 farmhouse.
• South Dakota State Railroad Museum in Hill City: Explore railroad memorabilia and model trains from across South Dakota.
• South Dakota Tractor Museum in Kimball: See historic tractors and other farm machinery.
• Stavig House in Sisseton: Tour an early 20th-century Victorian home of a Norwegian immigrant family.
• Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame in Sturgis: Features vintage and rare motorcycles.
• Telstar Mustang Shelby Cobra Restorations & Museum in Mitchell: A private collection of fully restored Mustangs, Shelby, and Cobra cars.
• Timber Lake and Area Museum in Timber Lake: Includes fossils, Native American artifacts, and period displays.
• Trails, Trains & Pioneers Museum in Edgemont: Learn about local history, trails, trains, and pioneers.
• Tri-State Museum in Belle Fourche: Discover the early pioneer, rodeo, and Old West history of the region where South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana meet.
• University of South Dakota Art Galleries in Vermillion: See various art exhibits.
• Vancura Park in Tabor: Includes a Czech Museum, chapel, jail, store, log school, and log house in the Czech Pioneer Village.
• Wade's Gold Mill in Hill City: See a modern gold mill and an antique mining museum.
• Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science in Sioux Falls: This center includes the Kirby Science Discover Center (a science museum) and the Visual Arts Center (with art galleries).
• W. H. Over Museum in Vermillion: Features natural history displays, Native American, and pioneer artifacts.
• Wind Cave National Park in Hot Springs: The visitor center has exhibits about the geology of the caves and the park's natural and cultural history.
• Wounded Knee Museum in Wall: Learn about the history of the Wounded Knee Massacre.

Museums That Are No Longer Open

• Delbridge Museum of Natural History, Sioux Falls
• McCook County Museum, Salem
• Performance Auto Museum, Sioux Falls and Deadwood
• Soukup and Thomas International Balloon and Airship Museum, Mitchell, closed in 2000

Images for kids

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  The National Music Museum in Vermillion has a huge collection of musical instruments.

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  The Akta Lakota Museum in Chamberlain teaches visitors about the Lakota people.

See also

• Nature Centers in South Dakota

More Information

• Association of South Dakota Museums