Historical Museum Guide for South Dakota

South Dakota History Museums

South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum  

[Photos]

Focused on the agricultural history and rural heritage of South Dakota, the museum features an 1882 homestead claim shack, a 1915 recreated farmhouse and many exhibits of antique farm equipment.  Located on the campus of the South Dakota State University at the corner of Medary Avenue and 11 Street in Brookings, SD.

Dedicated to telling the story of the Dakota Prairie and it's inhabitants, the museum is located in Aberdeen, South Dakota.  You will find exhibits related to the early settlers, the railroad and Native Americans in the area.  Featured exhibits include The Building of Brown County, The Hutterites and Lakota Life.

The museum preserves and displays data and artifacts pertaining to the history of the people who lived in Willow Lake, SD and the surrounding area.

Crazy Horse Memorial   [History and Photos]

Nestled in the Black Hills of South Dakota is the world's largest mountain carving.  Funded and operated by the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation in 1949, the Crazy Horse Memorial has grown to a large complex featuring museums, educational programs and conference facilities.  Located at 12151 Avenue of the Chiefs in Crazy Horse, SD.

Indian Museum of North America

Holdings include an amazing collection of art and artifacts related to the culture of the American Indian people.  From authentic tee pees to Indian artifacts which were donated both by Native Americans and non-natives, the museum is a sheer treasure trove of American Indian history.  Located at 12151 Avenue of the Chiefs in Crazy Horse, SD.

Native American Educational & Cultural Center

Part of the Crazy Horse Memorial complex.  Provides hands on experiences for visitors to the Crazy Horse Memorial.  Features how to set up a Lakota tipi, Lakota Indian games, activity tables where visitors can make crafts and other activities to delight and educate visitors.  Located inside the Crazy Horse Memorial complex at 12151 Avenue of the Chiefs in Crazy Horse, SD.

Pioneer Historical Museum   [History and Photos]

Found at 300 North Chicago in Hot Springs, SD, the museum is housed in a sandstone school building built in 1893.  Filled with antique treasures from days gone by in Fall River County, you will get a taste of what life was like a century ago.

Wind Cave National Park   [Video Clips]

One of the longest and most complex cave systems in the world can be toured daily.  Located on US Highway 385 in Hot Springs, SD.

Prairie Homestead

Bear Butte State Park and Visitor Center

Located in the Black Hills, about 6 miles NE of Sturgis off Hwy 79, The Bear Butte Education Center offers visitors information about the geology of Mato Paha (Bear Mountain) along with history and culture of the Cheyenne and Lakota Indians.  Bear Mountain is sacred to many Indian tribes who hold religious ceremonies there.  You will find buffalo herds roaming at the base of the Butte.

Museum of the South Dakota State Historical Society

South Dakota National Guard Museum

Adams House Museum

Adams Museum   [History of Deadwood]  [Historic Photos]

Black Hills Mining Museum

Buffalo Ridge Cowboy Ghost Town

Visit Main Street in a ghost town with it's rustic buildings, antiques, Lakota Indian artifacts and even buffalo burgers!  Located on I-90 at Exit 390 in Sioux Falls, SD.

Center for Western Studies

Old Courthouse Museum

The grandeur of this 1893 quartzite courthouse has been restored and features three floors of historical exhibits and artifacts related to Sioux Falls history.  Located at 6th and Main in downtown Sioux Falls, SD.

Pettigrew Historic Home and Museum

Tour an 1889 Queen Anne style home which belonged to SD senator R. F. Pettigrew.  This beautiful home has authentic furnishings and offers a glimpse into the Sioux Falls of yesteryear.  Located at 8th and Duluth in Sioux Falls, SD.

Historic Sioux Falls   [History of Sioux Falls]

USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial

A memorial dedicated to the most decorated battleship of WWII, it was built to honor those who served on this ship and the 42 who died on board.  Located in Sherman Park at the corner of 12th Street and Kiwanis Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD.

Black Hills Central Railroad 1880 Train

The Journey Museum   [Virtual Tour]

Keystone Area Historical Society Museum   [History]

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

National Presidential Wax Museum

Wade's Gold Mill and Mining Museum   [Tour]

Wounded Knee Museum

The focus of this Lakota Indian museum is to learn what really happened to the Lakota Indian Tribe at Wounded Knee.  The web site itself, is like a fine work of art.  You will find information about the Wounded Knee massacre, museum hours and  information, a lovely online gift shop and information for descendants of the Lakotas.  The site also includes some great historic photos.

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West

The museum preserves and exhibits history of the local pioneers of the area.  The well-known 40 ton Medicine Rock which is sacred to the Lakota Tribe is featured here.  Some genealogy information is available in the museum which is located at 205 W. Commercial Ave in Gettysburg, SD.

Heritage Center of Red Cloud Indian School   [History]

Union County History Museum   [History and Photos]

Dakota Territorial Museum

Museum Index for Other States

SD Census Records