News Release - July 1, 2025

The Freeman community is expecting an influx of visitors on the last Saturday of July and the Heritage Hall Museum & Archives (HHM&A), which shares the history of the people who brought chislic to this area, is making special plans for the day.

The 2025 South Dakota Chislic Festival will be held at the Freeman Prairie Arboretum on the southwest edge of the town on the eastern edge of Hutchinson County – the heart of the "Chislic Circle" – on Saturday, July 26. 

The festival, which began in 2018, celebrates the unique "meat on a stick" delicacy tied to Germans from Russia who arrived in the region in the 1870s. The one-day festival will feature food and non-food vendors, live music and a family-friendly fair-like atmosphere from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is free.

HHM&A, immediately north of the festival site, is the "Family Zone" for the day. It will be open with extended hours – from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The museum's admission wristbands enable guests to come and go throughout the day and into the evening. 

More than 25,000 square feet of interesting and unique artifacts and exhibits in two large exhibit halls and four historic buildings explain what brought Germans-from-Russia immigrants and others to southeastern Dakota Territory in the 1870s and what they created. The museum also includes artifacts that share elements of the Plains Indians history.

"We're really looking forward to welcoming families to our museum during the festival," says Marnette D. (Ortman) Hofer, executive director and archivist at HHM&A. "We have some special fun things planned."

Activities for families include hands-on rope-making, letterpress printing, a museum scavenger hunt, coloring sheets, and a model train in operation throughout the day. 

A special feature this year is a unique one-room, country school activity for grades K-8 at the historical Diamond Valley School that is part of the museum complex. The museum is offering two one-hour immersive experiences in which youth will participate in activities similar to what school was like 100 years ago. The sessions will be held at 2 p.m. and then be repeated at 3:30. That opportunity is included with museum admission; a $20 family pass entitles parents and all children all-day, come-and-go admission.

The museum offers a unique look at the people and explores the community's history and traditions. 

"Our galleries detail the stories of the people who brought chislic to this area, who began arriving here in the 1870s,” she said. "That's the story we tell; why they came, what they brought, how they persevered, and how they helped build the city of Freeman and the larger community."

Exhibits range from a 1927 bi-plane to a horse-drawn hearse and ice coffin to a 1913 Indian Twin motorcycle. There's a general store, town jail, summer kitchen, print shop and classic gas station that reflect life in the early part of the 20th century. Other exhibits include transportation, agriculture, local businesses, household items, furniture, toys and musical instruments.

Hofer and Ian Tuttle, a member of the SDCF Board from Bellvue, Neb., will offer a historical perspective at the chislic festival in presentations titled, "From Ukraine with Love; the History of Chislic" at 11 a.m., and 3 p.m.

"Our presentation explores the origins of shashlik in the Caucasus of Russia and how it came to the Freeman area and became what we know today as chislic," she said.

Although there is an admission fee to tour the museum – which includes a family pass option – the mercantile, which features a wide variety of items from local artisans and authors for sale, is open to the public at no charge. People are welcome to call 605-925-7545 or email info@heritagehallmuseum.com for more information or go online to heritagehallmuseum.com and to the Heritage Hall Museum and Archives Facebook page.

The museum, which traces its roots back to Freeman Junior College in 1911, today operates as an independent, not-for-profit organization. It preserves and celebrates the history and traditions of the immigrants who brought not only chislic, but also a rich tradition of faith, culture and entrepreneurship to this area. 

The museum is open year-round; summer hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays from May through September. The museum is open weekday afternoons (noon to 4) from October through April and is always also open by appointment.

This week marks the start of the summer season at Heritage Hall Museum & Archives. The Freeman museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and other times by appointment from May through September. That includes holidays.

Summer visitors will discover several new exhibits, added in time for last month’s Schmeckfest and now part of the museum experience. They include:

• Freeman Implement in the Unruh-Tieszen Wing. The company began in Freeman in 1909 and the exhibit includes a brief history and dozens of artifacts from the IHC dealership that eventually became Freeman International. The Gering family, which was part of the business for seven decades, assisted with creating the exhibit.

• A total revamp of the rocks and minerals in the Natural World Gallery. The new exhibit includes new narrative panels and lighting. Thor Aanenson, a junior at Freeman High School, helped develop the upgrade. The new exhibit was supported by a grant from the Freeman Community Foundation.

• An exhibit in the Kauffman Wing that includes a working 1957 Zenith television in a circa 1950s living room setting. Jerry Merkouris, a Valley Springs resident who enjoys restoring vintage televisions, volunteered his time and materials in helping the museum put together the exhibit.

Visitors will also notice new LED lighting in the Kauffman Wing, installed earlier this year.

The museum includes four historical buildings, an extensive archives/library, and the HHM&A mercantile, a gift shop that features the works of local artisans and authors.

Heritage Hall Museum & Archives traces its roots back to the winter term of Freeman College in 1911, but today operates as an independent, non-profit organization. It shares the history of the Germans-from-Russia immigrants who began arriving in the area in what is now the Freeman community more than 150 years ago. It also includes exhibits that share the history of the indigenous people for whom this land was home prior to the arrival of European settlers.

Although there is an admission fee to tour the museum, both the archives and the mercantile, the museum’s gift shop that features the works of local artisans, are open to the public at no charge. 

People are welcome to call 605-925-7545 or email info@heritagehallmuseum.com for more information or go online to heritagehallmuseum.com and to the Heritage Hall Museum and Archives Facebook page.

This spring, U.S. Census Bureau additional 2020 census data that include smaller cities and towns. The total 2020 population of the three counties is 21,782, up 474 from the 2010 census, an increase of 2.2 percent. 

"We've been curious about what the results will show for the 23 small towns in our area," said Tim L. Waltner, communication/education coordinator at Heritage Hall Museum & Archives in Freeman. "While the state population grew by 72,487, most of that came in the Lincoln, Minnehaha and Pennington counties, home to Sioux Falls and Rapid City. We've taken a closer look at the towns that are part of the 'greater Freeman area' and compared the population from 2020 to 2010."

The details reveal that while half of the towns in the larger Freeman area reflect that growth, the other half lost population. Freeman, for example, grew by 23 – from 1,306 to 1,329. Menno grew by six – from 608 to 614. The accompanying chart shows population changes in the towns in the area.

"One of the takeaways is that the larger towns in the area grew and the smaller towns shrunk," he said. "Five of the six largest towns grew; the combined increase of 355 is a 6.5% gain. Conversely, five of the six smallest towns lost population; the combined loss of 62 is a 12.2% decline."

Based on 2020 census data, the towns of Bridgewater, Centerville, Chancellor, Dimock, Emery, Freeman, Irene, Marion, Menno, Parker, Parkston and Viborg all showed at least slight growth since 2010. The rest lost population; four recorded loss percentages in double digits. The accompanying chart details each of the towns in the tri-county area.

Two neighboring towns just outside the tri-county area are also included in the chart: Emery in Hanson County and Scotland in Bon Homme County.

The top largest five towns of the 22 in the region remain unchanged – Parkston, Freeman, Salem, Parker and Centerville. However, Freeman and Salem swapped positions in 2020; Freeman replaced Salem as number two behind Parkston.

The local town with the largest percentage increase was Parker, which grew by 172 from 1,022 to 1,194, an increase of 16.8 percent. That's also the largest numerical town growth in the tri-county region. The town with the smallest percentage decrease was Davis, which shrunk from 85 to 54, a drop of 36.5 percent. Tripp lost the most population numerically, 72.

"But perhaps the more revealing dynamic is that the growth in the towns in eastern Turner County on the western edge of the growing Sioux Falls metropolitan area," he said. "The towns of Centerville, Chancellor, Parker and Viborg increased by a combined 278 since the 2010 Census."

Six of Turner County's towns gained population with a net increase of 274, led by Parker (172) and Marion (65) – the biggest gains by towns in the tri-county area. Also growing were Centerville, Chancellor, Irene and Viborg. It's worth noting, Waltner said, that the town of Irene – population 422 – is located in three counties – Clay, Turner and Yankton. According to the 2020 census, the portion that includes Turner County has 227 residents, a loss of 4 from the 2010 census.

The Hutchinson County town population showed a net gain of 18. Dimock, Freeman, Menno and Parkston combined for 100 new residents. On the flip side, together, Olivet and Tripp lost 82.

While the majority of the towns in Hutchinson and Turner counties grew in the past ten years, only four of McCook County's five towns saw an increase in population; while Bridgewater gained 19 residents, Canistota, Montrose, Salem and Spencer lost a collective 69 compared to the 2010 census. Combined McCook County towns declined by 50 in the past decade.

Town residents are the majority population in all three counties. In Hutchinson County, the 4,286 residents comprise 57 percent of the population. In McCook County, the 3,071 town residents comprise 54 percent of the population. In Turner County, the 4,928 town residents comprise 56 percent of the population.

Township population trends

The U.S. Census Bureau 2020 report also shows the changes in township population since the 2010 census. The majority of the townships in the local tri-county area gained population. It's worth noting that the census separates the rural population from the towns. For example, while Freeman is located in Grandview Township, the township total does not include Freeman's population.

In Hutchinson County, 12 of the 23 townships gained population since the 2010 census. In McCook County, 10 of the 16 townships grew and in Turner County, 10 of the 18 townships saw an increase in population. 

As is the case with town growth patterns, proximity to population growth in Minnehaha and Lincoln counties appears to be a factor. Townships in southeastern McCook and northeastern Turner County gained population. Conversely, all four of the townships on the western edge of Turner County lost population.

The most dramatic gain in the tri-county area – percentage-wise – was Pearl Township in McCook County, up 64.1%, although the gain of 25 residents raises the total to just 64. Conversely, Ramsey Township, also in McCook County, recorded the largest decline – 54.2%. The drop of 124 – from 229 to 105 – has sparked speculation that the Orland Hutterite Colony may not have been counted.

In terms of raw numbers, Sweet Township in southern Hutchinson County is the most populous in the three counties, with 365 residents, even with a loss of 22 in the 2020 census. The smallest is Oak Hollow in the southwest portion of Hutchinson County, with 40 residents.

The big picture

Initial results from the United States 2020 Census Bureau were announced in April 2021. They show that the United States has a population of 331,449,281. An increase of 7.4% from the 2010 census, it's the second-smallest increase since 1790, when the first census was conducted.

South Dakota was among the 13 states that showed an increase in the rate of growth from 2010 to 2020 – 8.9% compared to 7.9% from 2000 to 2010. The state grew from 820,077 residents in 2010 to 886,667 in 2020. 

Lincoln County grew 45.4% to 65,161; Minnehaha grew 16.2% to 197,214, is up 16.2%; Pennington #2), at 109,222, is up 8.2%

Hutchinson, McCook and Turner counties were among others in the state that gained population, although at a significantly lower rate than the "big three."

Hutchinson County, at 7,427, is up 81 or 1.1% from 7,343. McCook County, at 5,682, is also up 1.1% from 5,618, an increase of 64. Turner County shows the largest of the local three; 8,673, up 259 or 3.9% from 2010. 

"The numbers in Turner County reflect its proximity to rapidly growing Minnehaha and Lincoln counties, with population gains in both the towns and rural area, particularly the eastern portion of the county," Waltner said.

"Here's another perspective," he said. "In the past century, all three local counties lost more than 40 percent of their population, when comparing the 1920 census to the 2020 census."

Hutchinson County dropped from 13,475 to 7,427 – a loss of 45%. 

McCook County declined from 9,990 to 5,682 – a loss of 43%.

Turner County went from 14,871 to 8,673 – a loss of 42%

"All three local counties recorded their largest populations in the 1930 census," he said. "Hutchinson – 13,904, McCook County – 10,319, Turner County – 14,891. The 1940 census marks the start of a steady decline that continued through the century in all three counties."

Turner and McCook counties both reversed the trend in the 2000 census with small gains. The drop continued in Hutchinson County until the 2020 census, when all three reported population growth.

"The steady decline in population is reflected in the economic and social changes in this rural area," Waltner said. "We see that in how our businesses, schools and churches have adapted, often closing or consolidating."

Heritage Hall Museum & Archives, an independent not-for-profit organization, has an extensive collection of artifacts and documents that chronicle the history of this region, primarily the immigration story of Germans-from-Russia who arrived in the 1870s. 

The museum is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and 1 to 4 p.m. weekends through September. Winter hours (October-April) are noon to 4 weekdays and other times by appointment by calling 605-925-7545.

This spring, U.S. Census Bureau additional 2020 census data that include smaller cities and towns. The total 2020 population of the three counties is 21,782, up 474 from the 2010 census, an increase of 2.2 percent. 

"We've been curious about what the results will show for the 23 small towns in our area," said Tim L. Waltner, communication/education coordinator at Heritage Hall Museum & Archives in Freeman. "While the state population grew by 72,487, most of that came in the Lincoln, Minnehaha and Pennington counties, home to Sioux Falls and Rapid City. We've taken a closer look at the towns that are part of the 'greater Freeman area' and compared the population from 2020 to 2010."

The details reveal that while half of the towns in the larger Freeman area reflect that growth, the other half lost population. Freeman, for example, grew by 23 – from 1,306 to 1,329. Menno grew by six – from 608 to 614. The accompanying chart shows population changes in the towns in the area.

"One of the takeaways is that the larger towns in the area grew and the smaller towns shrunk," he said. "Five of the six largest towns grew; the combined increase of 355 is a 6.5% gain. Conversely, five of the six smallest towns lost population; the combined loss of 62 is a 12.2% decline."

Based on 2020 census data, the towns of Bridgewater, Centerville, Chancellor, Dimock, Emery, Freeman, Irene, Marion, Menno, Parker, Parkston and Viborg all showed at least slight growth since 2010. The rest lost population; four recorded loss percentages in double digits. The accompanying chart details each of the towns in the tri-county area.

Two neighboring towns just outside the tri-county area are also included in the chart: Emery in Hanson County and Scotland in Bon Homme County.

The top largest five towns of the 22 in the region remain unchanged – Parkston, Freeman, Salem, Parker and Centerville. However, Freeman and Salem swapped positions in 2020; Freeman replaced Salem as number two behind Parkston.

The local town with the largest percentage increase was Parker, which grew by 172 from 1,022 to 1,194, an increase of 16.8 percent. That's also the largest numerical town growth in the tri-county region. The town with the smallest percentage decrease was Davis, which shrunk from 85 to 54, a drop of 36.5 percent. Tripp lost the most population numerically, 72.

"But perhaps the more revealing dynamic is that the growth in the towns in eastern Turner County on the western edge of the growing Sioux Falls metropolitan area," he said. "The towns of Centerville, Chancellor, Parker and Viborg increased by a combined 278 since the 2010 Census."

Six of Turner County's towns gained population with a net increase of 274, led by Parker (172) and Marion (65) – the biggest gains by towns in the tri-county area. Also growing were Centerville, Chancellor, Irene and Viborg. It's worth noting, Waltner said, that the town of Irene – population 422 – is located in three counties – Clay, Turner and Yankton. According to the 2020 census, the portion that includes Turner County has 227 residents, a loss of 4 from the 2010 census.

The Hutchinson County town population showed a net gain of 18. Dimock, Freeman, Menno and Parkston combined for 100 new residents. On the flip side, together, Olivet and Tripp lost 82.

While the majority of the towns in Hutchinson and Turner counties grew in the past ten years, only four of McCook County's five towns saw an increase in population; while Bridgewater gained 19 residents, Canistota, Montrose, Salem and Spencer lost a collective 69 compared to the 2010 census. Combined McCook County towns declined by 50 in the past decade.

Town residents are the majority population in all three counties. In Hutchinson County, the 4,286 residents comprise 57 percent of the population. In McCook County, the 3,071 town residents comprise 54 percent of the population. In Turner County, the 4,928 town residents comprise 56 percent of the population.

Township population trends

The U.S. Census Bureau 2020 report also shows the changes in township population since the 2010 census. The majority of the townships in the local tri-county area gained population. It's worth noting that the census separates the rural population from the towns. For example, while Freeman is located in Grandview Township, the township total does not include Freeman's population.

In Hutchinson County, 12 of the 23 townships gained population since the 2010 census. In McCook County, 10 of the 16 townships grew and in Turner County, 10 of the 18 townships saw an increase in population. 

As is the case with town growth patterns, proximity to population growth in Minnehaha and Lincoln counties appears to be a factor. Townships in southeastern McCook and northeastern Turner County gained population. Conversely, all four of the townships on the western edge of Turner County lost population.

The most dramatic gain in the tri-county area – percentage-wise – was Pearl Township in McCook County, up 64.1%, although the gain of 25 residents raises the total to just 64. Conversely, Ramsey Township, also in McCook County, recorded the largest decline – 54.2%. The drop of 124 – from 229 to 105 – has sparked speculation that the Orland Hutterite Colony may not have been counted.

In terms of raw numbers, Sweet Township in southern Hutchinson County is the most populous in the three counties, with 365 residents, even with a loss of 22 in the 2020 census. The smallest is Oak Hollow in the southwest portion of Hutchinson County, with 40 residents.

The big picture

Initial results from the United States 2020 Census Bureau were announced in April 2021. They show that the United States has a population of 331,449,281. An increase of 7.4% from the 2010 census, it's the second-smallest increase since 1790, when the first census was conducted.

South Dakota was among the 13 states that showed an increase in the rate of growth from 2010 to 2020 – 8.9% compared to 7.9% from 2000 to 2010. The state grew from 820,077 residents in 2010 to 886,667 in 2020. 

Lincoln County grew 45.4% to 65,161; Minnehaha grew 16.2% to 197,214, is up 16.2%; Pennington #2), at 109,222, is up 8.2%

Hutchinson, McCook and Turner counties were among others in the state that gained population, although at a significantly lower rate than the "big three."

Hutchinson County, at 7,427, is up 81 or 1.1% from 7,343. McCook County, at 5,682, is also up 1.1% from 5,618, an increase of 64. Turner County shows the largest of the local three; 8,673, up 259 or 3.9% from 2010. 

"The numbers in Turner County reflect its proximity to rapidly growing Minnehaha and Lincoln counties, with population gains in both the towns and rural area, particularly the eastern portion of the county," Waltner said.

"Here's another perspective," he said. "In the past century, all three local counties lost more than 40 percent of their population, when comparing the 1920 census to the 2020 census."

Hutchinson County dropped from 13,475 to 7,427 – a loss of 45%. 

McCook County declined from 9,990 to 5,682 – a loss of 43%.

Turner County went from 14,871 to 8,673 – a loss of 42%

"All three local counties recorded their largest populations in the 1930 census," he said. "Hutchinson – 13,904, McCook County – 10,319, Turner County – 14,891. The 1940 census marks the start of a steady decline that continued through the century in all three counties."

Turner and McCook counties both reversed the trend in the 2000 census with small gains. The drop continued in Hutchinson County until the 2020 census, when all three reported population growth.

"The steady decline in population is reflected in the economic and social changes in this rural area," Waltner said. "We see that in how our businesses, schools and churches have adapted, often closing or consolidating."

Heritage Hall Museum & Archives, an independent not-for-profit organization, has an extensive collection of artifacts and documents that chronicle the history of this region, primarily the immigration story of Germans-from-Russia who arrived in the 1870s. 

The museum is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and 1 to 4 p.m. weekends through September. Winter hours (October-April) are noon to 4 weekdays and other times by appointment by calling 605-925-7545.

FREEMAN: Last week Heritage Hall Museum & Archives (HHM&A) received notice that the organization has been granted official status as a 501(c)(3) public charity. 

Marnette D. (Ortman) Hofer, executive director of HHM&A, said "this means we are now exempt from federal income tax, and donors can deduct contributions made to us under IRC Section 170. 

"It also means there are grant and funding opportunities open to us now that we did not have access to before," Hofer said.

She noted the status is retroactive to July 20, 2021, so all contributions made after that date are tax-deductible.

This is the final step in the museum's efforts to become an independent organization, Hofer said. 

"Prior to our divestment from the Freeman Junior College/Freeman Academy Corporation, which was finalized this past summer, gifts to the museum were tax-deductible through Freeman Academy as our umbrella organization. While we appreciate and deeply value our shared history with FJC/FA, we are excited about our new beginning and the possibilities before us."

The divestment process began with discussions in 2017 with both the museum and Freeman Academy leadership agreeing to explore the future relationship of the two organizations. 

The museum board and staff supported a move to independence. Discussions between the two boards led to a vote by the Freeman Junior College/Freeman Academy Corporation in the fall of 2019 that gave strong approval for divestment. That initiated a lengthy transition process including drawing up articles of incorporation for the museum as an independent organization. It included the transfer of ownership of all the artifacts, materials in the archives and historic buildings to the new organization. It also includes a lease agreement in which Freeman Academy retains ownership of the property and the building that is home to the museum. Although the museum has been officially registered as a not-for-profit organization in South Dakota for some time, the official federal designation completes the process.

"We have been humbled by the overwhelming support people have shown us and we look forward to continuing our mission to preserve and celebrate the history of the greater Freeman area," Hofer said. "We value all contributions to our efforts, whether they are monetary gifts or gifts of your time as volunteers or through the research and stories you share."

The museum, archives and mercantile are open from noon to 4 p.m., weekdays through April. Summer hours begin in May; the museum is open daily from May through September.

The museum is closed holidays during the winter months. That includes being closed Dec. 24-27 and Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. Regular winter hours resume Jan. 3.

More information is available at https://heritagehallmuseum.com or by calling 605-925-7545.

FREEMAN: Dr. Nathan Bates, a University of South Dakota professor, told a group of about two-dozen people at the Bethel Church Saturday evening, Oct. 30, that he’s thrilled with what he’s discovered at Heritage Hall Museum & Archives (HHM&A). 

Bates, who spent time poring through the archives this summer, told the crowd he’s planning to incorporate the resources here into his German language curriculum at USD in Vermillion. The program was sponsored by HHM&A, which operates as an independent not-for-profit organization. Bates received a grant from the South Dakota Humanities Council for this project.

The archives are providing Bates with stories, personal histories and journals, documents, books and audio recordings that will help expand students’ perspectives on the impact use of German has had in shaping community life and development.

Bates singled out three examples that have caught his attention thus far.

• Daniel Unruh’s Arithmetic Book, dated 1833 and which he used in Russia, which includes bright graphic designs and notes about family history.

• A pamphlet written in 1926 by J. John Friesen, a professor at Freeman College, advocating for the use of German in the Freeman community because, in part, it represents “the higher moral ground of German culture.

• Correspondence between F.C. Ortman of Freeman and John R. Thierstein of Bluffton, Ohio in which they discuss their views about German in the World War I era.

Each, in its own way, offers insights into the attitudes and practices that were an important part of community life in the decades following the arrival of the Germans from Russia in the 1870s, Bates said.

Bates says he plans to return to continue and expand his research and have his students use the archives as a resource for their studies. That, he said, will allow them to make connections between South Dakota and the global community.

“It’s not just language,” he said. “It’s a passport to the larger world.”

The wealth of what is available in the archives and their proximity to Vermillion makes Freeman an ideal partner for his program and he’s eager to see what that will provide.

“I’m enthusiastically diving into the deep end of the pool,” he said.