Adams Museum

Story

Adams Museum & House, The Historic Adams House was built in 1892 by Deadwood pioneers Harris and Anna Franklin. The elegant Queen Anne-style house heralded a wealthy and socially prominent new age for Deadwood, a former rough and tumble gold mining town. Its the oldest history museum in the Black Hills and ranks #3 among True West magazine's 2009 Top 10 Western Museums. Artifacts and displays from Deadwood's historic past reflect the powerful legends of infamous characters like Wild Bill and Calamity Jane. In 1920 Deadwood businessman and former mayor W.E. Adams brought the house as a tribute to the Black Hills pioneers and in remembrance of his deceased first wife and two daughters. The museum was a gift to the city of Deadwood and it remains city property to this day. It is located at 54 Sherman Street.Deadwood's Adams Museum is considered the Black Hills' oldest history museum. Artifacts on display from Deadwood's past reflect the legends of Wild Bill, Calamity Jane, and Deadwood Dick. The museum is open year-round and features changing exhibits and special programs. The Adam's Bros. Bookstore is located on the first floor. All floors are wheelchair accessible. Adams Museum houses JB Haggin train, Thoen Stone, Potato Creek Johnny's gold nugget.The museum was ranked number 3 among True West Magazine's 2009 Top 10 Western Museums. The Adams Museum and House won the Organizational Award of 2001. The same year it also won the Governor's Award for History display at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre, South Dakota. In 2005, it won the American Association for State and Local History(AASLH).