Dacotah Prairie Museum

Updates

Posted on Jun 18, 2021

Click the button for registration form!

Posted on Jun 7, 2021

“The Roaring Twenties” An exploration of life exactly a century ago, this exhibit features fashion, technology, photos, and artifacts that lend clues to the flavor of the time period known as the “Roaring Twenties”. Emerging on the heels of the Great War (World War I) and in a time of recovery a...

Posted on May 20, 2021

SAVE THE DATE: “History Alive! at Centennial Village” Saturday June 12, 11am-3pm
“History Alive! at Centennial Village” is a live-action telling of the stories of early immigrants, indigenous peoples, and other Dakota Territory inhabitants. Walk the village boardwalk to interact with live-action ...

Posted on May 18, 2021

“Planes, Trains, Automobiles… & More!” Handmade wooden models from all areas of transportation made by Ray Lout of Aberdeen. Craftsmanship and artwork go hand-in-hand in this exhibit. From detailed plans to finished product, this is the labor of love by local modeler Ray Lout. All of the pieces a...

Posted on May 14, 2021

“History Alive! at Centennial Village” Saturday June 12, 11am-3pm
“History Alive! at Centennial Village” is a live-action telling of the stories of early immigrants, indigenous peoples, and other Dakota Territory inhabitants. Walk the village boardwalk to interact with live-action characters from...

Learn more

Posted on May 6, 2021

“Preserving Art… Preserving History” Art Restoration Fundraiser for “Brown County Trailblazers” now on display on the Prairie Landing through May.
Estimated need: $7,000-10,000 for art restoration.
Three portraits in need of professional repair; Mr. Charles Howard of Howard & Hedger Real Estate c...

Posted on May 3, 2021

“Visual Persuasion: Propaganda Art” Posters from the Museum’s collection, Dacotah Gallery, 2nd Floor, Open May 8 through July 31. On display will be WWI and WWII propaganda posters encouraging citizens to plant a victory garden, buy bonds, conserve resources and support the war efforts. It also ...

Posted on May 3, 2021

“Historic Views of Downtown… Beyond These Four Walls” Photographs from the Museum’s collection, Helen Bergh Education Room. The Dacotah Prairie Museum building was built in 1889 and since that time the view from our four walls has changed over time. See over two dozen images of downtown Aberdeen ...

Posted on Apr 13, 2021

Come see the All Dakota High School Art Show and
VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE ARTWORK!
Student winner will receive a medal.
Thank you for supporting our art students :)
(One vote per person, please.)

Testimonials

a week ago

Nice gift shop and great hands-on play area for kids. Functional old fashioned phone operator a big hit too...

- Michael C

3 weeks ago

I'm probably prejudiced since I grew up near Aberdeen, but I love this museum that gives the history of the area. It's not extravagant, but the docents are very nice, and the exhibits are well kept. The building itself is historical. I will go there every time I get "home", which is every few years.

- Rob E

3 weeks ago

Very educational and informative. They always have something new going on here. The staff are friendly and quick to answer any questions.

- Nicholas W

About us

Our Mission:
The Dacotah Prairie Museum’s mission is to facilitate conversation of the prairie and its people, cultivate insight, and curate its collections as a catalyst for inter-generational exchanges to inspire children, connect families, and build community through education, programming, exhibits, and its collections.
Adopted May 26, 2015

Our Vision:
The Dacotah Prairie Museum, a non-profit, permanent learning center in service to all people, is committed to the continued growth of its collection of material evidence representing the ongoing history of its region. This collection will be used by present and future generations to study and interpret the lives and accomplishments of previous generations inhabiting the Dakota Prairie. Through these endeavors the Museum will continue to advance itself as a cultural, educational and economic asset to South Dakota.
Adopted November 18, 2008

Our Values
Respect: For people, their stories, their artifacts
Excellence: In personal and institutional performance
Achievement: Through timely accomplishment of stated goals
Responsibility: To ourselves, to each other, to the institution and to the public
Fairness: In judgment and decision making
Integrity: In preservation and presentation
Adopted November 18, 2008

Our Tagline:
To preserve and share the stories of the Dakota Prairie and its inhabitants.