We love visiting old homes and this one was worth visiting. We received a guided tour through the home which included a history of Mr. Petitigrew and the home. After the tour we viewed the museum and interesting items, including a mammoth bone. They also had hands on displays which was nice for kids. Would recommend to others to visit, and it's free. Easy parking is on the street.
This is a neat home if you like old school architecture and stone work. The house is built from local Sioux Quartzite and Petrified wood. Plus Pettigrew did some great things in South Dakota's infancy. Lots of neat South Dakota History.
The house, built in 1889, was purchased by Senator Pettigrew in 1911. It offers a look at how the upper crust lived in that era. The senator was a collector and amateur archeologist and built the attached museum (made in part from petrified wood) to showcase his finds. An interesting, low cost (free) place to visit.
Even though we have no personal connection to the place it was interesting to see this part of history. Seems like Pettigrew was a very unique man.
A gorgeous old home to tour, many surprising features like outside wall covered with petrified wood, and L.C. Tiffany lamps and ceiling light fixtures. Also very nice that it is open every day from noon to 5, and is free, donations accepted. Nice college student docent, they have a bit reference book with photos and more info on every item in the house if you have questions. They sell a very nice 5 pack of photos of the rooms for only $1.75. A small separate section gives interesting info about the settling of the Sioux Falls area, including interactions with the Sioux Native Americans of the region. If you love old homes, pick up a brochure about a walking tour of the neighborhood.
Filled with wonderful artifacts of just about everything and so very interesting. If you would like to see how their displays represent the old west and many other items of interest they have collected in one house, this is the place to come. Well worth my time.
the museum was interesting. would have liked to linger in the house a little longer. beautiful home. our tour guide was new and every comment and sentence started with "umm" which was very distracting.
We walked around downtown and found this museum down a side street. It belonged to South Dakota's first senator, R.F. Pettigrew. It had history about the city and lots of "older" type things on the walls and around the house. We weren't able to do the tour, but I've heard it is good. There were a few interactive things for kids to do, things related to traveling in covered wagons and counting activities. There were several hands on activities and while it is a short visit, it was worthwhile. Also it was free, just accepting donations.
Beautiful, well kept 120+ year old home. Full of artifacts, displays, articles, etc. Very knowledgeable volunteers to help guide you through by telling the story, answering questions.
My love of the Victorian era, has taken me to countless B&B's, museums and walking tours throughout my lifetime. With that being said...the opportunity to tour this home and museum, came as we were planning a mini-vacation to NW Iowa and into Watertown for the Redlin Art Center. When one hears the word "free" it oftentimes leaves the imagination to ponder "what are we getting ourselves into" -- let me say this -- it truly was an awesome experience! Our guide was very informative and due to the lateness of the day and being off-season for major tourism, he allowed us to linger longer in each of the rooms and very patiently answered all of our inquisitive questions! While there are other Victorian homes and museums in the Midwest, one has to remember some money was acquired through hard work, blood, sweat and tears, while others came into their fortunes through political gains. So, each home and/or museum of that time period must be judged on their own merit and not be compared to others, like the James Hill House in St. Paul, MN. Go into this fine example of a home, with an open mind and just relish in the splendor of a bygone era. (If you have time, there are also several walking tours in the area to feed your love of that time period!!)