Heritage Hall Museum and Archives

Heritage Hall Museum and Archives Telling stories of the Germans from Russia and others who settled in southeast South Dakota in 1870s.

Heritage Hall Museum & Archives tells the story of German-Russian immigrants who came to Dakota Territory in the 1870s. Lured by the Homestead Act of 1862, settlers from Lutheran, Reformed, Hutterite and Mennonite backgrounds brought with them their religious traditions, strong work ethic, and determination to survive the hardships of life of the prairie. Pioneer stories and artifacts narrate the

difficulties of living on the plains and the gradual building up of the community that is now Freeman, South Dakota. Our museum also offers visitors the opportunity to tour a number of restored and furnished outdoor buildings. Sit at a desk in the one-room school house, peer into the Russian oven of an 1880 pioneer home, and admire the simple elegance of two early rural churches. Conclude your visit by walking through the native trees and grasses of the neighboring Prairie Arboretum. Be sure to visit our Mercantile gift shop where we feature artisans and authors that are "local and locally grown" -- there's something for everyone!

With the rain and the warmth we've been having, you're probably spending a lot of time keeping your lawn under control. ...
06/08/2026

With the rain and the warmth we've been having, you're probably spending a lot of time keeping your lawn under control. If your kids are complaining about having to mow, show them this picture and tell them how much harder life was "back in the day" when you were using a Jari Sickle Bar Mower. You can walk behind this 1-cylinder engine and mow 36 inches at a time! Maybe they'll appreciate using their self-propelled or zero-turn "easy" machines!

Mark your calendars!Heritage Hall Museum & Archives in Freeman is sponsoring Heritage Days in Freeman on July 30, 31 and...
06/05/2026

Mark your calendars!

Heritage Hall Museum & Archives in Freeman is sponsoring Heritage Days in Freeman on July 30, 31 and Aug. 1 as part of the museum’s observance of the 250th anniversary of the United States.

The museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with special activities planned each day. The Freeman Prairie Arboretum, adjacent to the museum, is joining the museum in the three-day event.

Thursday, July 30

Things kick off with Katie Camp, a three-half-day adventure for children ages 6 to 12. Space is limited to 20; register by contacting HHM&A (605-925-7545 ) or emailing [email protected].

Thursday evening, the Freeman Prairie Arboretum and HHM&A will sponsor a trivia night at the Prairie Arboretum Visitor Center starting at 7:30. Teams can register with the museum by either stopping in, calling, or emailing [email protected].

Friday, July 31

In addition to the museum’s extended hours, Marnette D. Hofer and Tim L. Waltner will present a program on the history of chislic and Schmeckfest at the Bethel Church starting at 7:30 p.m.

The Freeman Lions will be serving hot dogs, chili dogs, sloppy joes and root beer floats from 4 to 7 at the Freeman Senior Citizens Center.

Saturday, Aug. 1

Special activities at the museum include “Heritage Pickers,” artisan demonstrations and activities for youth, similar to what has been shared during Schmeckfests.
The arboretum will be hosting pinball games at the Prairie Arboretum Visitors Center from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

A free “show and shine” car/motorcycle/tractor show starts at noon on museum/arboretum grounds. Anyone is welcome to bring a vehicle starting at 9 a.m. Pre-registration is encouraged. Contact Kevin Albrecht - 605-661-0650 or Kevin Waltner - 605-661-4958.

Jeremy Waltner will present a program on the top ten stories in Freeman’s history at the Bethel Church starting at 7:30 p.m.

The arboretum is bringing food trucks to the grounds to serve both arboretum and museum guests: Armando’s Tacos, Backyard BBQ, Berrybrook Ice Cream and Sheep Flockers.

This is what eventually led to so many of our forebears choosing to leave Russia and come to America….
06/05/2026

This is what eventually led to so many of our forebears choosing to leave Russia and come to America….

From the May 31, 1906 Freeman Courier: “Tuesday evening, the committee named in our last issue to arrange for the Fourth...
06/03/2026

From the May 31, 1906 Freeman Courier:

“Tuesday evening, the committee named in our last issue to arrange for the Fourth of July met, and once again proceeded to work out the program.

“Amongst the many excellent features we are to have follows:
“One of the best bands in the state,
“Two renowned speakers, one German and one English,
“A grand parade,
“Two ball games,
“Live pigeon shooting,
“A two-block run for a purse between the two hose carts, number one and number two of the Freeman volunteer fire company,
“Merry-go-round .

“And too many other others to enumerate them all in this issue

“The committee has also secured a tent, big enough to hold all the visitors, so everyone (should) arrange (to) come to Freeman and celebrate with us, for we candidly believe this will be the greatest celebration ever had in this part of the state.”

On July 5, the Courier reported on the event.

“The day was a delightful one. Quite a number came from neighboring towns … and people from the surrounding country came in large numbers. The town was filled with a large crowd all day and evening. All spent a very pleasant day as it was a very orderly crowd.

“The first thing in the morning was the parade, which was the finest procession ever seen in Freeman. At 10:30 a.m., the band, after playing a few selections on the street, marched to the tent and people listened to the speakers … Professor Thierstein in German and Major Dollard of Scotland in English. They showed themselves (to be) fluent and eloquent speakers and delivered splendid addresses. Professor Lamb read the Declaration of Independence.

“The advertised attractions for the afternoon were all pulled off in such a manner that the committees deserve great credit for their successful management of the entertainment.”

This photo of the construction of the bathhouse at the Freeman Swimming Pool appeared in the May 21, 1964 issue of The C...
06/01/2026

This photo of the construction of the bathhouse at the Freeman Swimming Pool appeared in the May 21, 1964 issue of The Courier. The article notes the pool will open the first week of June from 1:30 to 9:30 daily. The pool was managed that year by Darrel Weiland; lifeguards were Eldon Senner, Richard Tschetter and Vicki Wipf.

Construction of the bathhouse came four years after the Freeman Swimming Pool opened; a formal opening was held on Sunday, July 17, 1960.

The fact that we have a pool in Freeman reflects action taken by community residents rather than City of Freeman officials.

That prompted a story in the Sioux Falls Argus Leader.

“Freeman Facts, Freeman Fiction,” the history book published in 1979, includes excerpts.

“Community cooperation is responsible for the latest improvements, a new swimming pool in this rural town!

“Conception of the pool occurred during a conversation between a couple of local men. Representatives of organizations in the community were called together to hear about the plan. As a result, organizations pitched in to work on raising money.

“To guide fundraising efforts, a swimming pool auxiliary was formed. Stunt nights, baseball games, basketball benefits, raffles, auction sales, World Series boards and tricks or treats on Halloween were among promotions used.

“Land across from the athletic field was purchased on which to build a pool. Business was transacted by the swimming pool corporation until the project was paid for. It was (then) turned over to the city for operation … A small park was established later.”

“Freeman Facts, Freeman Fiction” also shared that in 1958 (before Freeman had a pool) local children were bused to Silver Lake, where the Red Cross offered swimming lessons.

Like the pool, the upcoming months are a busy time for our museum, with the summer tourism season bringing an influx of visitors. We’re open from 10 to 4 Mondays through Saturdays, including holidays.

A reminder from one of today's New York Times' games that museums are a great destination, wherever you live. We're open...
05/31/2026

A reminder from one of today's New York Times' games that museums are a great destination, wherever you live. We're open Mondays through Saturdays from 10 to 4 (that includes holidays).

Excerpts from The Courier, May 26, 1999: A portion of Freeman’s busiest street will be closed off … next week as Freema...
05/27/2026

Excerpts from The Courier, May 26, 1999:

A portion of Freeman’s busiest street will be closed off … next week as Freeman dedicates the new structure honoring its veterans.

The Freeman Area Veterans Memorial will be dedicated Monday, May 30, as part of the city’s annual Memorial Day Service (with) Gov Bill Janlow as speaker. The dedication comes nearly two years after the first steps were taken to construct a memorial honoring those who served their country.

In the summer of 1997, the Freeman Area Veterans Memorial was formed with Maurice Kaufman, chair; Cal Kleinsasser, treasurer; Duke Kleinsasser, secretary.

As an act of faith in the project, Coppy Heckenlaible donated $500 … promptly matched by Kaufman. By the fall of 1997, $15,000 had been donated.

The committee decided the abandoned cemetery on the corner of Sixth and Wipf Street would be the ideal spot for the memorial. Approval was granted by the Freeman Cemetery Association and the City of Freeman and construction began in April 1998.

(Following a) September 1998 a groundbreaking ceremony, work progressed quickly. By the end of the year, more than $30,000 had been raised.

The memorial is built on a mint green-tinted semicircle cement pad measuring 42 feet in diameter. Six named tablets made of granite list the 841 names of veterans. There is additional space for additional names to be added.

Six, 20-foot flag poles, which honor each branch of the military, and a 30-foot flag pole honoring the American flag encompass the memorial.

In the center of the memorial are two brick pedestals … one pays tribute to the pioneers of Freeman, who are still buried in the old cemetery. The other pedestal honors the Freeman Veterans of Foreign Wars Wilde Post #3728 and Auxiliary, and the Freeman American Legion Weber Post #284.

While construction of the memorial went relatively smoothly, the project has seen tragedy. Maurice Kaufman, who played an instrumental part in getting the project off the ground, died following a heart attack in August. The committee also mourns the loss of Harold Knittle, Cal Kleinsasser and Merlin Huber, all of whom played an active part in the memorial project.

Are you spending some of the holiday weekend working in your garden? These are a few of our hand cultivators that might ...
05/25/2026

Are you spending some of the holiday weekend working in your garden? These are a few of our hand cultivators that might be useful. No horsepower here, just human power! You would definitely get your exercise and burn some calories working these through a weedy patch or some hard-packed ground. Who needs a gym?!

We're approaching the Memorial Day weekend and we remind you that our museum will be open every day. Our regular summer ...
05/22/2026

We're approaching the Memorial Day weekend and we remind you that our museum will be open every day. Our regular summer hours are 10 to 4 Mondays through Saturdays and that includes holidays. However, this Sunday (May 24), we're also opening for guests from noon to 4.

Excerpts from May 24, 1973 issue of The Courier.On May 22, 1973, voters in the Freeman School District 33-1 approved iss...
05/20/2026

Excerpts from May 24, 1973 issue of The Courier.

On May 22, 1973, voters in the Freeman School District 33-1 approved issuing $600,000 in bonds to build a new jr.-sr. high school on a new campus on the southern side of Freeman.

The Courier reported the results: 808 for, 308 against, a 72.4% margin. Bond issues require a 60% majority. But what’s remarkable is that it came after nearly four years and six failed votes.

With overcrowding and increased enrollment at the 1925 school building at Third and Wipf, the Freeman School Board started pushing for a new building in mid-60s. That led to a proposal for a new jr.-sr. high school (including a gym) on 43 acres purchased in 1969.

The $1.4 million bond election on Oct. 21, 1969, was an overwhelming defeat – only 23% voted yes; 297 for and 1,003 against.

The next five bond elections in the next three years all failed to gain public support, although the rejections were not as dramatic as the first. While some gained a majority vote, none reached the required 60%.

In the May 3, 1973, Courier, the board again made the case for a new school building.
“Construction of a new school would eliminate the need for renting seven classrooms from Bethany Mennonite Church, Darald Walter, Dr. Jose Villa and Pine Hill Printery (and) the mobile classroom units and the frame schoolhouse.”

The proposed floor plan for “adequate classroom and lunchroom facilities for a junior senior high school” was 38,725 square feet; approximately $21 per square foot.
The board noted the preliminary budget for 1974 would not increase taxes for next year because “approximately three mills is being collected this year for future building purposes; it will take 2.5 mills per year for 20 years to pay for the $600,000 bond issue; the amount now being set aside for future building can be used instead to pay for the bond issue.

The new jr.-sr. high school opened for the 1976-77 school year; it remains in use today. It did not, however, include a gym (included in the 1969 plan. Voters rejected a $495,000 bond for a new gym in 1976. It wouldn’t be until 1992 that a new gym was built.

It cost $1.3 million.

Address

880 S Cedar Street
Freeman, SD
57029

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+16059257545

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Heritage Hall Museum and Archives posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Heritage Hall Museum and Archives:

Shortcuts

Share