9 Museums in Deadwood That You Shouldn't Miss

The Historic Adams House was built in 1892 by Deadwood pioneers Harris and Anna Franklin. Local contemporary press described the home as "the grandest house west of the Mississippi." The elegant Queen Anne-style house heralded a wealthy and socially prominent new age for Deadwood, a former rough and tumble gold mining town. Harris and Anna Franklin’s son Nathan bought the house for $1 in 1905. In 1920, Nathan Franklin sold the house to W.E. and Alice Adams for $8,500. Adams' second wife Mary closed up the house in 1936, two years after W.E.'s death, leaving the contents and furnishings intact.

The Adams Museum is the Black Hills’ oldest history museum. In 1930 pioneer businessman W.E. Adams founded the Adams Museum in downtown Deadwood with the purpose of preserving and displaying the history of the Black Hills. The Adams Museum is home to some of the Black Hills’ greatest treasures including Potato Creek Johnny’s gold nugget, beloved American illustrator N.C. Wyeth’s pencil sketch drawing of Western legend Wild Bill Hickok, the mysterious Thoen Stone record of the Ezra Kind party’s discovery of gold in the Hills in the 1830s and a one-of-a-kind plesiosaur (marine reptile). In addition to exhibits on all three levels, the Adams General Store is located on the main floor.

The only museum in the world with a bar. Live Poker, Single Deck Black Jack, loose slot machines, all your favorite spirits, and live music every weekend. Come party where Wild Bill Hickok bit the dust!

Live re-creations of the town's rich history started in 1924 through the Days of '76 celebration and award-winning rodeo. The celebration began as a way to honor Deadwood's pioneers - the prospectors, miners, muleskinners and madams who poured into the Black Hills in 1876 to settle the gold-filled gulches of Dakota Territory. Deadwood's newest museum documents the celebration and rodeo. The Days of '76 Museum features exceptional displays of carriages, firearms, American Indian artifacts and illustrates Deadwood's enduring friendship with Buffalo Bill Cody. The Days of '76 Museum is wheelchair accessible. The Mercantile gift shop is located on the first floor.

Experience the fascinating and exciting art form of hot glass blowing. Discover the unique qualities of molten glass as you manipulate it to create a one-of-a-kind piece of your own. All classes are private and you work beside an experienced instructor. No prior experience is necessary to enroll and participate in available classes. Spectators are welcome! Enjoy snacks, coffee drinks, cold beverages including beer and wine on site as you and/or others create unique glass sculptors. A variety of glass items are available for purchase and shipping is available. Hours vary for hot glass blowing demonstrations, please call for current information.

See James Bond’s Aston Martin, one of a few in the country, Magnum PI’s Ferrari, Smokey & the Bandit Trans Am, Herbie the Love Buy, Rockford Files Firebird, 1969 Yenko Camaro from 2 Fast 2 Furious, a Jeep from the TV show MASH, Evel Knievel's jump bike, John Wayne’s Truck and more. Over 80 movie memorabilia displays. Located in the Celebrity Hotel, downtown Deadwood. Free Admission. Open 7 days an week 7am-9pm year-round. Families welcome!

A Deadwood experience you’ll never forget. Walk through one of Deadwood’s houses of prostitution, an industry that operated illegally in the city from 1876 until 1980, when a raid by federal agents finally closed them for good. Visitors will be transported through the 104-year story with a guided tour of the rooms at 610 Main Street, the original site of the Shasta Rooms brothel.