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Adams Museum, Deadwood, SD

Photo: Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

MuseumsHistory BuffLocal Gem

Adams Museum

54 Sherman Street · Deadwood, SD

Why you should go…

The Adams Museum in Deadwood, founded in 1930 by pioneer businessman W.E. Adams, is the oldest history museum in the Black Hills. It is operated by the nonprofit Deadwood History Inc., which also runs the Historic Adams House, the Days of '76 Museum and the Brothel Deadwood tour. Exhibits cover Deadwood's gold rush era and figures such as Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Deadwood Dick.

  • #history
  • #museum
  • #wild west
  • #gold rush

Good to know

General museums guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Check the special exhibition separately

    Touring shows usually carry their own ticket and their own opening hours, listed apart from general admission.

  • Look for the free window

    Many museums run community days, member evenings, or discounted late openings. It is worth a look before you pay full price.

  • Travel light through the door

    Large bags and backpacks often have to go to a coat check, and lines for it move slowly at opening.

  • Weekday mornings beat weekend afternoons

    School groups clear out by early afternoon midweek, while weekends stay busy from late morning on.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Adams Museum, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Attractions
    History Buff

    Outlaw Square

    Free

    Free public plaza in historic Deadwood hosting year-round concerts, movie nights, and Old West events.

    Right next doorSwitch it up: Attractions

  • Sightseeing
    History Buff

    Mount Moriah Cemetery

    Under $25

    Walk the hillside cemetery above Deadwood to the graves of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane.

    Steps awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Museums
    History Buff

    The Brothel Deadwood

    Under $25

    Guided tour through the preserved second-floor rooms of a former Deadwood brothel that operated from 1876 to 1980.

    0.2 mi awayMore like this

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    George S. Mickelson Trail

    Under $25

    Bike, hike or ride horseback on a 109-mile crushed limestone rail trail through the Black Hills.

    0.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Museums
    Family Favorite

    Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center

    Free

    Black Hills science and mining center overlooking the 1,250-foot-deep Homestake Open Cut in Lead.

    2.4 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    Local Gem

    Sturgis Car Museum

    Under $25

    A Sturgis museum of rare Saab automobiles and General Motors heritage cars spanning 1950 to 2011.

    11 mi awayMore like this