Visiting The Dickinson Museum Center And Badlands Dinosaur Museum

The Dickinson Museum Center is a cultural and historical complex located in Dickinson, North Dakota, USA. It encompasses several museums and attractions that showcase the history, culture, and natural heritage of the region.

 

Admission covers entry to both the Badlands Dinosaur Museum and the Joachim Regional History Museum year round. These two museums are located in the same building.

 

Entry to the Pioneer Machinery Hall and a guided tour of Prairie Outpost Park buildings are also included with admission between Memorial Day and Labor Day only. Both of these are located next to the main museum building.

During our visit, we only saw the Badlands Dinosaur Museum and the Joachim Regional History Museum.  The other two attractions didn’t have volunteers that day to work them.

 

The Joachim Regional Museum focuses on regional history. It features exhibits related to the settlement of the area, agriculture, Native American history, and the impact of the railroad.

 

The Badlands Dinosaur Museum, established in 1992, features dinosaur fossils, replicas, and exhibits related to paleontology and prehistoric life. They have six full dinosaur skeletons, hundreds of fossils, and hands-on exhibits.

“Bill” is a real Triceratops prorsus skull on display and they have two skeletons of the duckbill Edmontosaurus on display as well. These were my favorite pieces in the museum.

 

The museum also has an extensive exhibit of colorful crystals, minerals, and precious stones. I’m a massive rock fan and this collection was impressive.

 

The Praire Outpost Park is a 12-acre outdoor attraction that recreates an early pioneer town with historic buildings and structures. Visitors can explore a one-room schoolhouse, a log cabin, a blacksmith shop, and other structures that provide insight into life on the prairie in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Please note you may not enter the buildings unless you are part of a guided tour.

The Pioneer Machinery Hall houses the Historical Society’s extensive collection of agricultural implements and equipment. It opened on May 13, 1992 and the exhibition space was upgraded in 2017.

I was disappointed we didn’t get to check out the building during our visit.

 

There is a gift shop packed with souvenirs to purchase so you can remember your trip to this small but well-done museum. If you happen to be in the area it is well worth a stop.