The Verendrye Museum in Fort Pierre is named for Louis and Chevalier Verendrye, two French brothers who explored the upper reaches of the Missouri River.

Thank you to all who attended the 2020 Annual meeting and/or sent in your memberships! More than 45 people attended the Annual Meeting and dinner at the Sutley Senior Center on Saturday, January 25, 2020.

Your support is greatly appreciated! Congratulations to the Bierle Family of Midland who received a Horseshoe plaque recognizing them as the “ Friend of History 2020 Award” for their continued work in keeping history alive through supporting trail rides, finding and marking the trails by marking them with oak signs which will help them last longer.   G&N Construction received a Buffalo plaque recognizing them as the “Friend of Verendrye Museum 2020 Award” for their assistance over the last couple years in donating equipment and in-kind construction for repair and maintenance of the Sansarc Country School Museum and the Old Stanley County Jail repair.  Karl & Eileen Fischer were also recognized for their support with a six-piece leather engraved “Verendrye Museum 2020” coaster set.

Two words: Integrity and Dedication

Those are two of several words that describe Zay Norman. Zay has completed his term as a Board Member after volunteering his service for 15 years. A recent surgery robbed him of his eyesight, yet after the unfortunate disabling incident, he continued to serve on the Board by having someone drive him 50 miles into town to attend the meetings and events. The Horseshoe plaque recognized Zay Norman for “15 years as a Board Member from 2005-20019” was presented to him by President Seiler for his continued support, even while he was dealing with a most difficult circumstance!

All plaques presented were made by Board Member Lynn Fravel.

Board Election:

We thank Randy Seiler for his leadership and guidance as he steps down from the President position.  Wyatt Johnson was voted in to serve a three-year term.  Sandy Cronin was voted in as a new Board Member for a three year term filling Norman’s seat.  Brian Scott completed his three year term and was re-elected to serve another three years.   The Board meets the third Wednesday of the month at 7p in the Depot meeting room and the public is always invited.

Renovation Details:

Rick Hahn, Fort Pierre Public Works Director, provided an update on the museum renovation stating the original museum was built in 1935 and did not have air conditioning but heat was provided with a coal burning stove and later a water boiler provided the heat.  When the Museum was granted use of the building for a museum in 1968, the boiler did not work and therefore the Verendrye Museum did not have heat, cooling or hot water for the next 50 years!  In 2018 the City of Fort Pierre and the Verendrye Museum split the bill to install a hot water heat to help volunteers better clean the building and items.  The City of Fort Pierre is committed to keep the museum in Fort Pierre and rents the building to them for a dollar while the city pays the utilities. Because there is no heating or cooling, it is very hard on archival material and items.   The renovation process includes demolition of the American Legion building connected to it, creating a workspace for archives, new doors, tuck pointing the outside, new windows, creating an exit that meets code, new bathrooms that are ADA compliant and a new heating and cooling system to keep the archives in a constant temperature.  Renovation is projected to be completed in late 2020.

Donations for the non-profit Verendrye Museum are accepted at the Museum’s Log Cabin Visitor Center on the corner of U.S. Hwy 83/Main Street and during the summer at the Railroad Train Depot, on the corner of U.S. Hwy 83/1st Street and 4th Avenue. Visitation to all five of the Museum’s sites-Log Cabin Visitor Center, Sansarc Country School Museum, Old Jail, Train Depot (and the Verendrye Museum at 115 Deadwood Street after renovation) are free and open to the public.

The Verendrye Museum in downtown Fort Pierre is closed and is undergoing costly building renovations. Be a community supporter! Memberships go to offset costs of the renovations.  $35 for single, $500 lifetime for couples, $50 for a family, $75 for a business and $500 for a Supportable Membership.

2020 Membership Form

Save the Date for the 2020 Backyard BBQ on Saturday, August 15! This will be part of Fort Pierre Trader Days!

A-G-E won 1st place in the competition

Summer 2019 News:

Thank you to our Supporters of the Verendrye Museum Backyard BBQ! A-G-E won 1st place in the competition! More than 150 people attended the event! Congratulations to A-G-E Corp for getting first place in the competition – beating out the other 21 competitors! (more details to follow) Main

Main Sponsors: Carlisle Ranch, Dakota Radio Group (DRG), KCCR, Modern Woodmen

General Sponsors: BankWest, Dakota Prairie Bank, First Dakota National Bank, First National Bank, Gateway Ford, Lincoln, Toyota, Karl’s TV & Appliance, North Star Financial, Reube’s Welding, SD Beef Industry Council, Stulken, Petersen, Lingle, Walti & Jones, Take Charge Bookkeeping, Tex’s Jack Repair, Wegner Auto

Other Sponsors: BankWest, Catlin’s Car Clinic/Fort Pierre Motors, Chase Auto, City of Fort Pierre, Clausen and Rice LLP, Don  Bourk, Eddie’s Truck Center, Farm Credit Services, Fischer Rounds & Associates, Hogan’s Hardware & Kitchen, Jerome Beverages, Lynn’s Dakotamart, Moose Lodge, Perkins, Robin’s Water, Runnings, Steve Jonas A-G-E, Bad River Mafia 1, Bad River Mafia 2, Beck Motors Camping Crew,Bottom Line Welding, Burnt Offerins, Chase Auto, Cowboy Country Store, Dakota Prairie Bank, Dakota Mill & Grain, Fine Line Auto , First National Bank, Ft Pierre Fire Dept, Graham Tire, Grossenburg Implement, Inman’s Water, Prairie ATV, Prairie Traders, Sioux Nation, WW Tire, Zander Auto Place, Zay Norman Ranches.

Contestants: A-G-E, Bad River Mafia 1, Bad River Mafia 2, Beck Motors Camping Crew,Bottom Line Welding, Burnt Offerins, Chase Auto, Cowboy Country Store, Dakota Prairie Bank, Dakota Mill & Grain, Fine Line Auto , First National Bank, Ft Pierre Fire Dept, Graham Tire, Grossenburg Implement, Inman’s Water, Prairie ATV, Prairie Traders, Sioux Nation, WW Tire, Zander Auto Place, Zay Norman Ranches.

About the Verendrye Museum:

In 1743, they buried a lead plate in a hill claiming the entire Missouri River drainage for France. The Verendrye Museum is located in the old American Legion Hall, a 1930’s vintage building that was placed on the National Historic Register July 31, 2017 and is owned by the City of Fort Pierre. The Historical Society of Old Stanley County had a vision of establishing a museum, which was realized in 1968 with the opening of the Verendrye Museum as a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. The museum houses a collection of South Dakota and regional artifacts documenting the early history of the area. If you are in Fort Pierre in the off season you can see some museum displays at the Fort Pierre Log Cabin Center located on the corner of Main and HWY 83.