Wallace Dow: Prairie Architect

 

Wallace Dow: Prairie Architect
Opens January 19th

Architect Wallace Dow designed countless structures in the region during his career. On the vast South Dakota prairie once stood unique homes and buildings that reflected creativity, encompassed diverse building materials, and brought new architectural styles like Queen Anne, Richardsonian Romanesque, and many other eclectic styles to the growing community.  Some, including the Old Courthouse and Pettigrew Home, still stand as a testament to his skill, creativity, and style 100 years after his death in 1911.

 

 

 

 

 

Speculation and Conflict:
The Rise of Sioux Falls

Speculation and Conflict

The Rise of Sioux Falls is the story of the early town of Sioux Falls. This chronological look at Sioux Falls from 1856 to 1883 investigates events including land speculation in the Big Sioux River valley, the building of Fort Sod, the later abandonment of the settlement, the arrival of the military and construction of Fort Dakota, and the rise of a progressive city. This exhibit includes unusual artifacts, hands-on activities for families, and audio recordings of historic letters, all of which create a dynamic setting from which to explore the first 30 years in the history of South Dakota's largest city.

 

 

 

 

Cabinet of Curiosities:
A Look at Sioux Falls' First Museum

A Cabinet of Curiosities

A Look at Sioux Falls' First Museum recreates a vignette of the museum Richard Pettigrew built in 1923, exhibiting artifacts originally displayed in his museum. Mr. Pettigrew's museum was a conglomeration of objects collected in local archaeological excavations with his brother Fred, objects collected on his travels around the world, and objects traded with other collectors and researchers worldwide. Displaying intriguing pieces such as a walrus skin kayak, prehistoric stone tools, geological specimens, historic guns, and original photos, the exhibit portrays an earlier type of museum, one that showcased objects for their uniqueness rather than as  interpretative tools used for educational purposes.