In 1936 the museum first opened under the direction of the Daughters of the American Revolution of South Dakota. The Museum was located in the former Dakota Territorial Council Hall. In 1953, the hall and Museum were moved to West Side Park from Riverside Park.
In 1961 the Yankton County Historical Society was officially formed and took over care of the Museum.
The 1971 a new and larger building was opened. For more than thirty years the Museum has been housed in this structure. The former Dakota Territorial Council building remained as extra exhibit space, and many additional outside buildings have been added, including the Gunderson Rural School House, Hovden Cabin and the Burlington Northern Caboose.
But now the Museum has outgrown the space available once again. The Yankton County Historical Society is currently working on the rehabilition of a new home....
2018 is the target date for a grand reopening of the
Dakota Territorial Museum and Mead Cutural Eduation Center.
In this new facility, which by then will be 109 years old, the Museum will continue to share its wonderful collection. It will also continue to develop educational opportunities for the community, state, and country. The Museum is also working on developing additional genealogy resources.The Mead Building will also be a great place to hold meetings and small gatherings. For more information about the renovation and restoration of the Mead Building, please visit www.meadbuilding.org.