Adams Museum & House
Late 1800’s and early 1900’s history is preserved and exhibited in Deadwood SD at the Adams Museum and the Historic Adams House.
- The Adams Museum in Deadwood is the oldest history museum in the Black Hills.
- The Adams Museum is open year-round and features changing exhibits and special programs,
- The Historic Adam’s Mansion is open seasonally. May 1 to October 31.
- The Adams is a self guided experience, while the Historic Adam’s Mansion can only be seen via a guided tour.
The Adams Museum & House, Inc. is the governing institution that oversees and operates the Adams Museum and the Historic Adams House. The information on these two different locations has been separated into the following:
Adams Museum
Overview
Deadwood’s Adams Museum is considered the Black Hills’ oldest history museum. The Adams Museum was founded in downtown Deadwood, SD in 1930 by W.E. Adams. The museum houses three floors of exhibits, a western history bookstore, restrooms and a meeting room. The Museum is wheelchair accessible. Included in the artifacts is Potato Creek Johnny’s gold nugget and N.C. Wyeth pencil sketch of Wild Bill Hickok.
Location/Directions
Adams Museum
54 Sherman St.
Deadwood, SD 57732
Telephone: 605.578.1714
Hours/Seasons
The Adams Museum is open year-round and features changing exhibits and special programs. The Adams Bros. Bookstore is located on the first floor. All levels are wheelchair accessible.
- May 1...September 30 - Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- October 1 - October 31...Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Closed Sundays)
- November 1 - March 30...Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Closed Sundays, Mondays and winter holidays)
- April 1 - April 30...Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fees/Costs
A suggested donation of $5 per adult, $2 per child (10 or under) is appreciated.
More Information About the Adams Museum
Artifacts on display from Deadwood’s Wild West past include items which once belonged to Wild Bill, Calamity Jane and Deadwood Dick. Other items of interest are W.E. Adam’s love letters, Lakota bead and quill work, and the Thoen Stone.
Historic Adams House
Overview
Built in 1892 by Harris and Anna Franklin, the Historic Adams House as described as the grandest house west of the Mississippi. After changing owners over the years, the house was purchased by W.E. Adams’ second wife Mary, in 1920. The house was closed up in 1936 with all the contents and furnishings left intact.
Today, the Historic Adams House includes the Mary Adams Orientation Center with wheelchair accessible bathrooms, orientation exhibition and gift shop. The Historic Adams House is wheelchair accessible on the first floor.
Location/Directions
Adams House
22 Van Buren Ave.
Deadwood, SD 57732
Telephone: 605.578.3724
Hours/Seasons
- May 1 - August 31...Daily, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
First Tour at 9:00 a.m....last Tour at 4:00 p.m. - September...Daily, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tours on the hour. First Tour at 9:00 a.m....last Tour at 4:00 p.m. - October 1 - October 31...Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tours are on the hour with the last tour at 3 p.m.
Fees/Cost
Admission to the Historic Adams House tour is $7 for adults, $2 for children (10 or under) and free to members.