Mission Statement:
The Yankton County Historical Society provides an authentic historical experience of the Yankton area from pre-Dakota Territory to modern day.
Vision Statement:
Yankton County Historical Society will strive to enhance the quality of life through cultural understanding.
Our Story
1936 to Present
In June, 1936 Yanktons first museum opened under the direction of the Daniel Newcomb Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution. The Museum was located in the former Dakota Territorial Council Hall - which had been relocated in present-day Riverside Park.
In 1953, the hall and museum were moved to West Side 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 built next to the old council building. For more than 30 years the Museum has called this building home. 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.
Thank you to everyone who bought tickets to our Heritage Park Raffle! Your purchase will help restore the historic Gunderson One-Room School. Congratulations to our 2023 grand prize winner Jacki Ellis!
1936
1971
2012, the YCHS Board of Directors accepted the task of saving a building located on the north edge of Yankton that was part of the former Dakota Hospital for the Insane campus.
The Mead Building has been a multi-year, multi-million dollar venture that reopened in 2018 as the Mead Cultural Education Center the name was changed in 2022 to Mead Museum. Mead Museum is home to the Yankton County Historical Society and the Yankton College Alumni offices. Our address is 82 Mickelson Drive in Yankton South Dakota.
And even though we are open, the task of restoring the Mead building is not complete! The first two floors have completed exhibits and traveling exhibits space. The basement, third floor, and east wing are still in the construction phase. We are also fundraising for Heritage Park and started moving all of our historic buildings to our campus in 2022.
2018
Summer Hours:
(Memorial Day - Labor Day)
Monday - Friday: 10 AM - 4 PM
Saturday - Sunday: 12 PM - 4 PM
Winter Hours:
(Labor Day - Memorial Day)
Monday - Saturday: 12 PM - 4 PM
Sunday: Closed
Admission:
Children under 5: FREE
Children (5-17): $5
Adults (18-64): $8
Seniors (65+): $5
Members get free admission