Projects Capital Improvement

Our beloved 1889 Northwestern Bank Building is a cornerstone of historic downtown Aberdeen. It is a beacon of architecture that enchants downtown visitors and invites them to explore our humble county museum. While the south and west facades of the building are in excellent shape for its age, the north and east sides of the building are woefully in need of masonry repair work that far exceeds minor maintenance.

The Plan:

The museum will be applying for a Deadwood Grant to help with the major costs of this project. This is a process that will involve the services of a building assessor and architect along with getting quotes from local masons equipped to do historical restoration work. Additional funds will be needed for professional fees leading up to submitting the necessary documents for a preservation grant.

How can you help?

Please consider a contribution towards our “EXTERIOR BRICK AND MASONRY REPAIR PROJECT.” Your funds will ensure the museum building’s exterior will last another century and continue to be a beautiful, historic downtown building for locals and visitors to enjoy.

Thank you for your support!

Help us to replace our building awnings. The South Dakota wind has taken a toll on the striped canopies that festoon our historic building. Awnings not only add the appropriate aesthetic to the Romanesque profile of the building but also provide needed shade to the 9ft tall windows on the first floor. Even though the windows are specially designed to block UV light that might shine on artifacts on display, the added protection of the awnings is needed.

These awnings were last replaced about 10 years ago and after many patches and repairs, that’s about the maximum life of the canvas that is exposed to the wind, snow, rain, hail, and did we mention wind of the Dakota plains. Fabric design fitting to the 19th-century look of the museum building will be chosen.

Thank you for your support!