The Journey Museum
222 New York St.
Rapid City, SD
June 16, 2002
While we
were staying in the Rapid City area with the intention of visiting Mt. Rushmore
we looked around the city and found The Journey Museum. The museum is actually
made up of a number of smaller museums. As we first entered the museum we were
handed a small electronic device, called sound sticks, that looked similar to a
remote control for your TV. Its purpose was a very unique one; as we moved from
room to room the sound sticks would pick up the information being broadcast by
that particular exhibit or display. It was a very nice way to present their
information at each person's own pace. You didn't have to worry if you came in
late because it would broadcast the information over and over.
We
were to learn that the Journey Museum brings together four major prehistoric and
historic collections to tell the complete story of the Western Great Plains -
from the perspective of the Lakota people and the pioneers who shaped its past,
to the scientists who now study it. A 14 minute film begins the journey. The
first museum we encountered was the Museum of Geology. In this area we found
displays of significant scientific discoveries made by geologists and
paleontologists, including the unique rock formations and rare fossilized
remains found throughout this region. They had actual rocks that we could touch
and handle which really gave us a feel for the area. Next we moved onto the
Archaeological Research Center. This area housed collections from thousands of
archaeological sites, including materials from excavations conducted at dozens
of prehistoric and historic digs all over
South Dakota. This area was really a hands-on part of the museum. It allowed us
to examine the lives of the early ancestors, from ancient hunters who lived in
the Black Hills at the end of the ice age to the mining settlements of the
nineteenth century. In addition we could visit an archeological dig, also see
and touch artifacts from the last 10,000 years. They actually had an
archaeologist who was working on some artifacts brought out from a current dig.
There were many interactive displays for "children of all ages" to try
their hand at solving the mysteries of the past. Next, was the Sioux Indian
Museum. This museum devotes 
its
exhibitions to the past and present creative achievements of American Indian and
Alaskan Native artists and crafts people. One of the exhibits was a tepee with a
very realistic hologram of a storyteller explaining about her tribe. We were
able to travel along a 200 year timeline and watch the epic story of the Sioux
nation unfold. We were able to come to understand the historical events that
forever changed the Lakota homeland. We would hear 
first
hand from Lakota elders and their descendants how a proud people lived, hunted,
played and fought. We heard the legends, of the sacred Paha Sapa (Black Hills),
come to life. Last, but certainly not least was the Minnilusa Pioneer Museum.
This museum featured a wide ranging permanent collection of objects and
artifacts which focus on the region's frontier past and those individuals who
played an important role in it. Our journey led us to the not-so-distant past
when mountain men, military expeditions and miners first set foot in the Black
Hills. Illuminated story walls guided us from the European settlers first
encounter of the Black Hills to the historic Battle of Little Big Horn and
ultimately to the modern-day reconciliation with Wounded Knee and other
historical events. It was interesting to find out how the discovery of gold
captured a young America's imagination. Along the history trails we encountered
Jim Bridger, General George Armstrong Custer, Wild Bill Hickock, as well as the
great Sioux leaders, Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse and Red Cloud. It was interesting
to find out how they all made their mark on history in this area. The time we
took for this museum was time well spent. If you get to the Rapid City area to
visit Mt. Rushmore, don't fail to stop by this wonderful museum.
If you would like more information
about the museum, check out their website at: http://www.journeymuseum.org.
Good Luck! Have Fun! and Stay Safe!
Laura