About

The Pipestone County Museum is a professionally operated facility presenting the area's history in a range of interpretive exhibits. The Museum has four exhibit galleries on two floors focusing on Pipestone County history and happenings. Regional geology and botany are apparent in several large murals throughout the Museum. Early settlement is represented including a scale replica of the first claim shanty in the country, as well as Native American artifacts. The exhibit galleries are on a rotating schedule, so call ahead for specific topics.

A huge array of resources for local history and genealogy are found in the Museum's Research Library. Family surname files, county histories, newspaper collection, photograph collection, census records, school records, church histories, cemetery records and much more.

Groups are welcome at the Museum for guided and self-guided tours. Group tours require advanced notice and an appointment. Step-on-Tours are also available. A Museum staff person will step aboard your group tour bus and lead a tour around town sharing historic information and stories. Step-on-Tours usually last between 30 and 45 minutes. Staff will also do outreach programming on request. Call for group fees.

The Pipestone County Museum also maintains the oldest schoolhouse in the county at L.H. Moore City Park. District #3, known locally as the Farmer School, was built in 1883 and closed its doors in the 1960s. The building was given to the Historical Society and moved into Pipestone. District #3 Schoolhouse is open by appointment for group tours and open to the public on Thursdays from 1-3pm in the summer season.