About the Jerauld County Heritage Museum
Lavolla Christensen adopts museum for the month
Lavolla Christensen has adopted the museum for the month of May in memory of her late husband, Harvey.
“He (Harvey) worked to sell numerous life memberships for the museum and was concerned in finding a bigger building,” Lavolla said. “He would be pleased to see the museum today in the building graciously donated by Bob and Beverly Sorensen,” she added.
“Thanks to Arlein Fransen and the many volunteers, both ladies and men, who have organized and catalogued the many items in the museum and for sponsoring the many potato suppers and fundraising events,” Lavolla continued. “Wessington Springs can be proud of the museum now and for the years to come,” she concluded.
The Jerauld County Pioneer Museum also consists of Fagerhaug one-room school and Kraft Blacksmith and Repair Shop on the courthouse lawn.
In the short time it has been open, the Heritage Center has become a popular place for visitors to Wessington Springs. Adults find many items which bring back happy memories of the past, while children are intrigued to learn how their great-grandparents lived without the benefits of electricity and modern conveniences. The building was a former bank.
An old doctor's one-horse buggy goes into the Kraft Blacksmith Shop
Although Emanuel Kraft no longer swings his hammer at the little forge, the tools he made when the need arose are still there as a testimony to his ingenuity and skill in his blacksmith shop on the courthouse lawn.
The one-room country school still contains all the items necessary for teaching the 3 R’s. Nothing has changed in the little school, but the recitation bench is vacant waiting for eager learners to come to class.
Fagerhaug one-room school is an excellent example of "yesterday's" schools -- complete with furnishings of the era.
You’ll love the Jerauld County Pioneer Museum if you’re interested in…
Farm tools, Amateur baseball, Hall of fame (six local men),Gun collections, Cameras, Military, Churches and academy, Kitchen – bedroom – parlor, Dr. Dean’s office; Musical instruments, Rocks and minerals, Old photographs and Jerauld County/South Dakota history.
The Heritage Center and Dean Annex Museum are open to the public on certain days. Tours, small groups or individuals are welcome to visit at any time by appointment.
For information: (605) 539-1620
