Oscar Howe and Outdoor Buildings

A Yanktonnais Sioux, Oscar Howe was born in 1915 on the Crow Creek Indian Reservation in central South Dakota. He broke barriers in the world of Native American art. He fused traditional forms with modernist expression, boldly claiming space for Indigenous creativity in contemporary art. Throughout his life, he received many awards and exhibited his work widely, some even being shown and collected by major museums in New York, London, and Paris. Howe is considered the most innovative and modern Native American artist of his remarkable generation and is a major influence on the course of Native American Art today. His artwork speaks to people from around the world who know little or nothing about the artist or his Native American heritage. He served in World War II and later was an art instructor at DWU and designed the Corn Palace Murals for many years. 

The Oscar Howe Art Gallery, founded in 1972, showcases his legacy throughout his work. He challenged stereotypes and inspired future generations of native artist to assert their voices and visions. How also painted the dome of the Carnegie Library in Mitchell, South Dakota and several large murals in the Mobridge Auditorium in Mobridge, South Dakota.

Pause here to view the Oscar Howe Art Gallery.

Please make your way outside to visit the Farwell Church organized in 1880 and built in 1908, the Sheldon School built in 1884, the Dimock Depot built in 1914 and the Beckwith House built in 1886.

Pause here to make your way to the outdoor exhibit. Start at the Farwell Church. 

The Farwell Methodist Church stands as a beacon of faith and resilience. Originally located 16 miles northeast of Mitchell. Before the church building was built church services were held inside sod houses, a grainery, and the school. The pews and general shape of the building are original. The interior has been painted the original color and the floors and pews have been refinished. This modest wooden chapel serves not only as a spiritual gathering place, but also as a cornerstone of community life. Weddings, funerals, socials, and Sunday services filled the small sanctuary with the sound of music, prayer and laughter. Built by settlers who valued both worship and fellowship. The church is a powerful reminder of how belief and belonging help shaped rural Dakota communities.

Pause here to view the Farwell Church and then move to the Sheldon School. 

The Sheldon School was built in 1884 for $450 in Ravenna Township, in Sanborn County. It is a classic example of the one room school houses that once dotted the prairie. It educated generations of rural children. Many walked miles each day to attend class. The first session was held in 1885 with Patricia Geddes as the first teacher. Inside original desks, a potbelly stove and chalkboards recreate the daily rhythm of reading, writing and arithmetic. Children brought books from previous schools or borrowed books. Many shared books with other students. There was no water and the children took turns carrying water from the Sheldon farm about a quarter a mile away. The teacher was responsible to build the fire, sweep the floors and clean the boards. Students brought their own lunches. In the back corner of the building you can see some lunch pails the children used. Beyond academics, the school was a vital community hub, hosting Christmas pageants, spelling bees, and pie socials. It stands as a tribute to the value settlers placed on learning, even in the face of harsh weather and isolation. The school closed in 1945 with four pupils.

Pause here to visit the Sheldon School and then move to the Dimock Depot. 

The Dimock Depot captures the essential role railroads played in shaping the middle border. The small, but bustling structure connected rural towns to the broader world. The depot had an agent who was also the postmaster. Farmers shipped eggs, cream, and grain; families welcome loved ones or bid them farewell on its platform. The depot was often the first and last stop for settlers and travelers alike. It's preservation today helps visitors imagine the sites, sounds and possibilities of rail travel during the regions formative years. The Dimock Depot closed and moved in 1971. The Milwaukee Railroad donated the depot to the museum, and it was dedicated by Milwaukee Railroad President, L. Worthington Smith in 1973.

Pause here to tour the Dimock Depot and then move to the Beckwith House. 

The Beckwith house was built by Louis and Mary Beckwith. Their pictures hang in the front parlor. Mr. Beckwith was a co-founder of the Corn Palace. The house is a fine example of Italianate architecture which combines Queen Anne details with its bay window, fish scale shingles, fretwork and porch posts. The exterior is painted the original colors of sage and dark sage with oxblood red accents. Many of the original furnishings remain in the house. Original furnishings in the home include the rocking chair in the front room and the secretary desk in the library. Notice the top of the doorways between the rooms, all display wooden hand carved features, each with its own unique style. The home features period furnishings, wallpaper, and household items that speak to both comfort and ambition on the prairie. Walking through its rooms visitors experience, the intersection of Victorian influence and frontier practicality. This home held many social events, as they enjoyed entertaining guests. Upstairs you will view newspaper articles about events at the home. Mrs. Beckwith enjoyed church activities, teaching needlework, and directing and decorating for the Corn Palace Festival. The second floor contains a fine collection of Beckwith family clothing, handmade needle work and memorabilia.  Mrs. Beckwith was the Director of the South Dakota Women's Exhibit at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893. Mary won first prize at the World's Fair for her embroidery. The Beckwith House offers a rare glimpse into the domestic life of a prosperous middle border family.

Thank you for visiting the Dakota Discovery Museum on the campus of Dakota Wesleyan University! Additional museums and exhibits on the DWU campus include the McGovern Legacy Museum and the Saint John's Bible in the McGovern Library. We hope you have enjoyed your audio tour. The Dakota Discovery Museum is very happy you came to visit and hope to see you again.