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Exhibit Opening 2026
Yankton's Museum History
1936 to Present
In June, 1936 Yankton's first museum opened under the direction of the Daniel Newcomb Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R). They had acquired a building built originally on 4th and Broadway Streets (Yankton) in 1861. It was used in 1862 to hold the first Dakota Territorial Legislative (Council) session. Decades later it had been moved to a farm for a grain bin. The D.A.R. acquired the building after the farm went bankrupt, renovated it, and opened it as a museum in Riverside Park (Yankton).
1953 - 1971
In 1953, the Territorial Council Building and museum collection were moved to West Side Park in Yankton. In 1961, the Yankton County Historical Society was officially formed and took over management of the Museum.
1971 to 2018
The 1971 a new and larger building was built next to the old council building. For more than 30 years the Museum called this building home. The former Dakota Territorial Council building remained as extra exhibit space, and many additional outside buildings were added, including the Gunderson Rural School House, Hovden Cabin and the Burlington Northern Caboose.
2018 - Present
In 2012, the YCHS Board of Directors accepted the task of saving a building north of Yankton, part of the former Yankton State Hospital campus. The Mead Building was 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. Three floors have completed exhibits plus space for programming and events . The basement and east wing are still in the construction phase. "A Dakota Story" telling the history of Yankton, SD from being the first capitol of the Dakota Territory from 1861- 1883 - through 1970 - will be opened in the first floor East Wing in 2026.
