Historical Buildings at Our South Dakota Museum

The Bethel Mennonite Church was established in 1892 east of Dolton.  Built in 1920 and originally located 8 miles north and 4 miles east of  Freeman, this building served the congregation until they disbanded in  1992. It incorporates many architectural elements unique to  Prussian/Russian Mennonite houses of worship. 

Ludwig Deckert built this frame home in  the early 1880s northeast of Freeman. The house was moved to the museum site and restored in 1979. Many household items are original furnishings. A  unique feature of this interesting home is the grass-burning oven, "black kitchen" and large smokehouse chimney built in the center of the  house. The Deckert House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Built in 1902 just seven miles west of Freeman, this small building  served the Johannesthal congregation from 1902 until 1967, when the  church closed.

Originally located about a mile south of  Freeman on U.S. Highway 81, the Diamond Valley School, District #56,  served as the one-room schoolhouse for the district just south of  Freeman from 1902 until 1969.