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Abby Normal's Museum of the Strange has real two-headed animals, half a human head in a jar, real human skulls and skeletons, live American alligators, and a gift shop. They're just opening up. It's the strangest collection of odd and macabre in the Midwest!
[Jason Haack, 11/16/2021]Abby Normal's Museum of the Strange:- Address:
- 27280 Kenworth Place, Harrisburg, SD
- Directions:
- East edge of South Dakota. I-29 exit 71. Turn east onto SD-110/273rd St. Drive two blocks. Turn left onto Kenworth Place. You'll see the museum -- a pre-fab blue metal building -- ahead on the right.
- Hours:
- M-Sa 9-5 (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
- Phone:
- 605-376-2586
- Admission:
- Adults $10
The Black Hills Institute in Hill City has a T-Rex skeleton named Stan (after the guy who found it). It is a nice size dinosaur museum, with several skeletons of dinos, including a Triceratops, and several other traditional skeletons. There are also several fish skeletons (I was surprised they were so big, but then I'm from the midwest.). They also have the obligatory fossils of leaves and shells of various sizes, up to 18" diameter. Most everything is "DO NOT TOUCH," except one giant snail-looking shell which was labeled "Please Touch" and had been donated, seemingly for that purpose, by the woman who was named on the plaque.
Our kids had a great time, though we were disappointed that nothing could be touched. The Everything Prehistoric store next door (through which you have to enter and exit) was pretty nifty. They sell fossils of every size and price imaginable, from a few bucks up to $800+, as well as the usual small plastic dinosaurs and whatnot. Our visit was about 90 minutes, half of which was spent in the gift shop.
We enjoyed this stop very much, and it was definitely an inexpensive stop on our trip through the Black Hills.
[Jocelyn & Mark Sloan, 09/01/2005]Black Hills Institute - Dinosaurs:- Address:
- 217 Main St., Hill City, SD
- Directions:
- US Hwy 16/Main St.
- Phone:
- 605-574-4289
Wax dummies, some from a former Wild West museum, enhance presentation of a two-headed calf, tiny church, collection of farm toys, and Sitting Bull's spoon. Haunted by restless spirits!
Roadsideamerica.com Report...
- Address:
- 1820 W. Grand Crossing, Mobridge, SD
- Directions:
- Northwest edge of town, on the north side of US-12, just south of its intersection with 20th St. W.
- Hours:
- M-F 9-12 1-5, Sa-Su 1-4 (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
- Phone:
- 605-845-7243
- Admission:
- Adults $5.
- RA Rates:
- Worth a Detour
Fanciful junk art statues, including a 40-foot-high horse and 60-foot-high bull head. Over 50 sculptures on 18 acres.
Roadsideamerica.com Report...
- Address:
- 45160 257th St., Montrose, SD
- Directions:
- I-90 exit 374. Turn south and drive a half-mile. Entrance on the left.
- Hours:
- Daily May 15-Oct. 15, 7 am - 8:30 pm. Closed and gated off-season. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
- Phone:
- 605-204-0370
- Admission:
- Adults $10.
- RA Rates:
- Major Fun
The giant bull head at Montrose Sculpture Park is visible for miles on I-90. We were met by the artist's parents, who staff the entrance. The artist's mother conducts the first half of the tour, and she even allowed us to bring our dog along on a leash! Another large sculpture depicts a fish jumping out of a cracked fish bowl and making an escape across the field.
First first half of the tour takes you past the cartoon-like vultures doing different things such as bashing each other over the tops of their heads with hammers. After the vultures you wind past the yellow man (poking fun at art critics), the Rainy Day, Screaming Man (freaky), Wise Man, Deadman's Hill, Magic Dragon, Prairie Dragon, and American Gothic -- a very interesting take on the famous "farmer and pitchfork" painting.
Once you arrive at the Bull Head, artist Wayne Porter descends from somewhere within the bull head to greet you. The head representing an extinct Egyptian Long Horn, is made mostly out of railroad plates welded together. Wayne claims to have no artistic skills (can't draw, paint, etc) but he's is truly gifted with a welding rod, in my opinion. The eye of the bull is inspired by Michaelangelo and has a very human look to it. Several skeleton beasts guard the Bull and the real treat comes when you look inside the bull head. There is some kind of tortured demon hanging behind the bridge of the Bull's nose and it is quite freaky. There are other things in there, but I don't want to spoil the suprise.
There are many other sculptures, but by far the strangest is the "Jack in the Box." It's supposed to represent Pandora's box opening. The clown has bloody eyes and a bloody mouth. The chess game on the box lid represents the never-ending game of life and the sword represents the Good King who died battling evil. The rooster on the box lid is announcing a new day, now that the box has been opened. It's not all bad, though, as the green olive leaf growing on the clown's club represents the hope needed to overcome evil.
With Wayne and his mother giving guided tours, you get the know the stories behind all the pieces of art.
[Greg Brown, 10/13/2001]
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