Mead Museum (U.S. National Park Service)

Three story brick building with columns and a red roof — Mead Museum in Yankton, South Dakota
Ali Eminov, CC BY-NC 2.0

Accessible Rooms, Accessible Sites, Cellular Signal, Elevator, Fire Extinguisher, Gifts/Souvenirs/Books, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information, Information - Ranger/Staff Member Present, Parking - Auto, Parking - Bus/RV, Restroom, Restroom - Accessible, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Telephone, Toilet - Flush, Wheelchair Accessible

The Mead Museum is a beautiful, vibrant center showcasing local and regional history. Housed in a beautiful 1909 brick building with original marble staircase, it's a must-see destination on every trip to Yankton! Visitors can enjoy three floors of exhibits including:

Journeying Forward: Connecting Cultures

This exhibit describes the history of the American Indian culture of the region through the Lewis & Clark Expedition of 1804-1806. Featured in the exhibit is an original Jefferson Peace Medal. These medals were commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson as part of diplomatic efforts with Native American tribes, serving as symbols of goodwill and alliance between the U.S. government and Indigenous leaders.

Yankton State Hospital Minds, Methods, and Medicine

This exhibit features four rooms dedicated to the architectural history of the historic South Dakota Human Services Center, medical practices in mental health, day in the life of a Yankton State Hospital patient, farm therapy and staff life.

The Children's Transportation Museum

A fun, interactive and educational experience for the kids.

Yankton College Galleries

On the top floor.

Heritage Park

An ever-evolving outside green space with a collection of historic buildings including a train depot, school house, log cabin and more.

Temporary exhibits highlighting Dakota Territory and Yankton County history change each summer. Each December, the museum is filled with unique cheery Christmas trees decorated by local businesses and organizations for the Hall of Trees.

The building's history

Built in 1909, the Mead Building was originally used as patient housing for women as part of the Yankton State Hospital operations until the 1980’s when patient numbers dropped. Dr. Leonard C. Mead was the architect behind the Mead Building and many others on the historic campus. The building was designed to provide a home for women where they could be cared for with compassion and dignity.

Between 2008 and 2018, the Yankton County Historical Society and Mead Building Restoration Committee restored the historic Mead Building and moved its operations to the newly created Mead Museum.

Today the Mead Museum houses over 45,000 historic artifacts. For more information, visit the museum's website.

-Content provided by the Mead Museum