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.

Backyard BBQ Competition

2025 Backyard BBQ Competition

The 9th Annual Backyard BBQ Competition will be held on Friday and Saturday, August 8th-9th at Fischers Lilly Park in Fort Pierre.

  • The Calcutta will be held at 6:00PM on Friday at Fischers Lilly Park.
  • The Judging of People’s Choice will be held from 11:30am-1:00pm on Saturday for a $20 Donation.
  • The Brisket Lunch will be served from 12:00pm-3:00pm for a $10 Donation (children under 5 free).

Proceeds benefit the Verendrye Museum, Inc. which supports the original Museum, Depot Museum, Sansarc Country School Museum, Log Cabin Visitor Center Museum & 1905 Stanley County Jail Museum.

BBQ Competition Registration Form (PDF)

BBQ Competition Sponsor Form (PDF)

Country School Past and Present books and note cards (Hughes, Stanley, Haakon Counties and others) are available for purchase at the South Dakota Popcorn Company store in Pierre, SD.   They make great Christmas presents and other occasion gifts–“Get them while supplies last”.

Since 2012 in South Dakota, Betsey DeLoache developed her Country Schoolhouse Project. People passionately recall their country school days, individuals who lived and are currently living the country school experience, a way of life that is disappearing. Betsey compiled hundreds of stories and illustrations of schoolhouses into a series of three books, Country Schools: Past and Present, as well as colorful notecards, promoting and preserving the history of country schools. Her books and cards (Haakon, Hughes & Stanley Counties) are now also available at South Dakota Popcorn Company, Pierre, SD.

Country Schools Past & Present Books-Notecards of Betsey DeLoache available at Pierre SD Popcorn Company, 312 S Pierre St, Pierre, SD  57501

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.

The museum before renovation and signage.

The updated Verendrye Museum with the new sign