Last updated: 2/5/2021
102 Hwy 2 SE
Rugby, ND 58368
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
10 AM - 5 PM
Geographical Center Historical Society members receive season passes good for regular visits and special events like the annual Village Fair. Join today!
Adults (18+): $8
Seniors: $6
Veterans: $6
Students (): $6
Children (6-17): $4
Children 5 and under: Free
Active Duty Service: Free
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Jennifer Willis
phone: 701-776-6414
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When you visit the museum, we are adhering to Covid-19 protocols.
You can always reach us by email, phone, or social media.
Zion Lutheran Church was first building moved from its rural location to the museum's village square. Gradually buildings from area communities were added, including: York Jail, Pleasant Lake Bank, Bottineau Telephone office, Penn Depot, Juniata and Silva schools, and more.
All of our historic buildings are fully furnished and connected by a boardwalk encircling the village square. The first of our exhibition halls was dedicated in 1969. Today the Prairie Village Museum includes six exhibition halls and 20 historic buildings.
The Geographical Center Historical Society’s mission is to document, preserve and interpret the history and ongoing story of North Central North Dakota for the people of the region and for visitors from around the world, through educational and entertaining programming and through displays of artifacts and historic buildings at Prairie Village Museum.
Prairie Village Museum was founded by the Pierce County Historical Society. Organized in 1959, the society spent years planning for a pioneer village and museum. Members solicited donations to its collections throughout the region and in 1964 the society changed its name to reflect the museum’s reach.
Our vast collections span the 1880s through the present, with an emphasis on the turn of the century through the early 1950s. We hold more than 50,000 artifacts, including Native American objects, household items, home furnishing and clothing, farm machinery and tools, and vintage and antique cars.
The largest piece in our collection is a Great Northern caboose. One of our most popular displays features "The Scandinavian Giant" Clifford Thompson, a native of Silva, N.D., who was one of the world's tallest men.
Plan to spend at least 90 minutes. Many spend hours touring our grounds.
Dress for being outdoors. Our buildings are not heated or cooled and you will be walking outdoors between buildings.
Wear sturdy shoes for navigating the boardwalk and uneven ground.
Bring snacks or picnic lunches to eat at the museum or a local park. We have picnic tables. You'll also find a picnic shelter and playground in Northern Lights Tower Park, just across our parking lot.
Auditoriums
Lecture Halls
Performance Areas
The Geographical Center Historical Society continues as sole owner and operator of the museum. Member volunteers and a handful of paid staff built Prairie Village Museum into the important regional institution it is today.
The Prairie Times- a quarterly newsletter.
Tours are self-guided, but we can provide children and school groups with scavenger hunts and other activities on request. Last time to start touring is 1 hour before closing.
School & bus tours * Reunions * Birthday parties * Wedding photos
Meetings * Theatre * Concerts * Dances * Scouting events
To book an event Contact Us as soon as possible to make sure your dates are available.
Professional Photographers wishing to shoot the Village and Museum grounds must contact us first. Arrangements for copyright and use of photos can be arranged easily.
Wedding Photo shoots must be schedule in advance so that we can have the Village and your desired locations ready. *Wedding photos: Fee includes entire wedding party and photographer: $50 members; $100 for non-members. Before or after regular museum hours add $30. Wedding shoots must be scheduled and paid for in advance.
Graduating Members can book their Senior photos here for FREE.
Gift Shop
Special Event Rental
Most buildings and accessibility. our restrooms are handicapped accessible. We can provide wheelchairs.
Wheelchair Accessible
Parking
Restrooms
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