Mead Museum

Mead Museum New wing OPENING October 2026: A Dakota Story- The 1st 100 years of Yankton’s history. See a 220-year old Lewis & Clark Jefferson Peace Medal! Dr. Leonard C.

Explore 3 floors: Children's Transportation Museum, Yankton State Hospital exhibit & Yankton College galleries. 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. Mead was the architect behind the Mead Building and many others on the historic campus. The building was desig

ned 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. The museum features changing and traveling exhibits throughout the year and posts these scheduled exhibits on their website. Permanent exhibits include:
* Journeying Forward: Connecting Cultures features the history of the American Indian culture of the region through the Lewis & Clark Expedition of 1804-1806
* Yankton State Hospital Minds, Methods, and Medicine 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
* Children's Transportation Museum provides hands-on history experiences for children of every age

The Mead Museum is also opening an outdoor history experience called Heritage Park. We strongly recommend repeat visits to the Mead Museum as permanent and changing exhibits are being developed and added every year. Last, if you are looking for that something special, the Mead Museum does have a Mead Mercantile Gift Shop for your souvenir or gift giving needs.

Hallway of Lost History. Can you identify any of the people in this photo?
05/30/2026

Hallway of Lost History.
Can you identify any of the people in this photo?

It's getting closer...do you have you tickets yet for the annual Cemetery Walk on Wednesday June 3rd? Get them at the C...
05/29/2026

It's getting closer...do you have you tickets yet for the annual Cemetery Walk on Wednesday June 3rd? Get them at the Community Library . It's a unique event, now for 13 years. "Meet" historic figures from Yankton's past at their gravesite in the Municipal Cemetery.
Here are some scenes from previous years....

Looking ahead ...to the next Feed Your Mind on Friday June 5th at noon."Photographing Yankton, SD" presented by Crystal ...
05/27/2026

Looking ahead ...to the next Feed Your Mind on Friday June 5th at noon.
"Photographing Yankton, SD" presented by Crystal Mensch, Exec. Dir of the Mead Museum. Crystal will be showing many historic Yankton photos during her 1-hour talk.

This week’s is a ballot box. Ballot Box #22 was used in Yankton County for many years prior to the first use of votin...
05/27/2026

This week’s is a ballot box. Ballot Box #22 was used in Yankton County for many years prior to the first use of voting machines.

3 floors to explore!Adults $10, 65+ $8, youth 5-17 $5Members free, active military families free
05/25/2026

3 floors to explore!
Adults $10, 65+ $8, youth 5-17 $5
Members free, active military families free

05/25/2026
This year the cemetery tour will highlight historical figures from the first 100 years of Yankton County! You’ll have a ...
05/24/2026

This year the cemetery tour will highlight historical figures from the first 100 years of Yankton County! You’ll have a chance to “meet” Caroline Burleigh, Charles Gurney, George Hand, Esther Kenyon, and Josiah A. Pierson.

Tickets will be available beginning Wednesday, May 13, at the Yankton Community Library, 515 Walnut Street. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for youth 12 and under. Cash or check only. Each tour last approximately one hour. Those interested are encouraged to buy their tickets early, as spaces are limited!

See an authentic Jefferson Peace Medal! Open every day. M-F 10am -5pm and Weekends 1-5pm. Visit Yankton Southeast South ...
05/23/2026

See an authentic Jefferson Peace Medal! Open every day. M-F 10am -5pm and Weekends 1-5pm. Visit Yankton Southeast South Dakota

Kids can touch animal pelts in the Journeying Forward exhibit. Then, turn the corner to see an authentic Jefferson Peace...
05/22/2026

Kids can touch animal pelts in the Journeying Forward exhibit. Then, turn the corner to see an authentic Jefferson Peace Medal
Southeast South Dakota Travel South Dakota Visit Yankton

Tickets on sale now! If you'd like to go with friends, reserve a table of 6 for $120. Call the office 605-665-3898.
05/21/2026

Tickets on sale now! If you'd like to go with friends, reserve a table of 6 for $120.
Call the office 605-665-3898.

Address

82 Mickelson Drive
Yankton, SD
57078

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 1pm - 5pm
Sunday 1pm - 5pm

Telephone

+16056653898

Website

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