Longtime Brookings residents Pat and Dale Larson always believed that play is learning, and learning is fun. During the summers, Dale and Pat would drive across the country with their three young daughters to explore the world around them. They hiked through national parks, donned costumes at Colonial Williamsburg, and searched for life in the ocean.
Pat and Dale also strongly believed that everyone, no matter age or ability, had unique gifts to offer the world. They encouraged their three girls to become involved, volunteer, and to give back to their community. Education and philanthropy were to be lifelong ambitions.
When Pat and Dale’s daughter, Carmelle Larson Jackson traveled across the country with her own children, she was determined to make the journey as fun as the destination. She made frequent stops at children’s museums and came away with a love for the energy and creativity found in each place.
She also came away with a vision: to build an exciting place where children of all ages and abilities could learn through play in her own hometown of Brookings, South Dakota.
The Larson Family and the Larson Family Foundation turned this vision into a reality by fully funding the start-up costs of the Children’s Museum of South Dakota, and by establishing an endowment for future operating costs.
The Larson Family Foundation is a private, non-profit organization founded in 1990 to fulfill the need of the state’s communities and citizens and help improve the quality of life for all South Dakotans.
It was established by Dale Larson, Former CEO and President of Larson Manufacturing Company and current Museum Board Chair. The purpose of establishing a foundation was to give back to the community of Brookings and the state of South Dakota which have played a significant role in the growth and prospering of Larson Manufacturing, the nation’s leading manufacturer of storm doors and storm windows.
Over the next four years, the Larson Family assembled a diverse board of advisors who teamed up with consultants and professionals from the children’s museum industry, leaders in the Brookings community, educators from the local school district as well as South Dakota State University to develop a world-class museum that promotes learning through play, creativity, and discovery.
2024
2024 South Dakota Great Place designation
South Dakota Great Faces Mike Mogard and Kris Seas
2023
2023 South Dakota Great Place designation
South Dakota Great Faces Mandy Lyons and Lauren Dietz
2022
2022 South Dakota Great Place designation
South Dakota Great Face Dora Castano
2021
The Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce named the Children’s Museum of South Dakota the Business of the Month in September 2021.
Named one of 12 must-see destinations in North Dakota and South Dakota by the Star Tribune.
December: 2021 Mayor’s Empower Award: A recognition program designed to recognize outstanding commitment of a business in employing and empowering those with disabilities.
2021 South Dakota Great Place designation
2020
September: The City of Brookings and Mayor Keith Corbett celebrates Sept. 12-19 as “Children’s Museum of South Dakota Week”
October: Distinguished Achievement in the Humanities Award presented by the South Dakota Humanities Council
2019
January: Executive Director Kate Treiber Recognized with Pinnacle Player Award
February: Great Service Star Award awarded by the South Dakota Department of Tourism
December: Best Way to Play With the Family by 605 Magazine
2018
January: Café Coteau Manager honored for hospitality at South Dakota Tourism Conference
February: Great Service Star Award awarded by Department of Tourism
2017
February: Great Service Star Award awarded by Department of Tourism
2016
September: The City of Brookings celebrates Sept. 12 as “Children’s Museum of South Dakota Day”
June: Featured by Google in 2016 Annual Report
May: Named “Best of the Midwest” by Midwest Living Magazine
April: Named ‘Facility of the Year‘ by Brookings CVB
March: Recognized as a participant in Breastfeeding Friendly Business initiative
February: Great Service Star Award awarded by Department of Tourism
January: Receive ‘Excellence in Tourism Innovation Award’ from South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard and South Dakota Tourism Dept.
2015
November: Take spot on list of “50 Midwest Museums We Love” by Midwest Living Magazine
September: The State of South Dakota names Sept. 12, 2015 “Children’s Museum of South Dakota Day” throughout the state
August: Highlighted on family travel website, Road Trips for Families.
August: The City of Brookings names each Sept. 12 to be “Children’s Museum of South Dakota Day” in Brookings, SD
July: Recognized by the Alliant Group as one of “Eight Enchanting LEED Certified Buildings in the US”
June: Recognized by Kiwi Magazine as one of “Six Green Children’s Museums to Visit”
May: Museum Welcomes Half Millionth Guest
May: Awarded Certificate of Excellence by TripAdvisor based on 5-star rating by reviewers
April: The Children’s Museum of South Dakota is included in Midwest Living’s “Best of the Midwest Travel Edition”
April: Brookings, SD is listed as a “Best Under the Radar” vacation destination – highlighting the Museum – by www.VacationIdea.com
March: PrairiePlay.org receives a Silver ADDY
February: Great Service Star Award awarded by the Department of Tourism
January: PrairiePlay.org receives ADDY nomination
July: “Must-See Attraction” in South Dakota as recognized by the Travel Channel
May: Recognized by Midwest Living magazine’s special “Best of the Midwest Travel” publication
April: The Children’s Museum of South Dakota included in Midwest Living’s “Best of the Midwest Travel Edition”
Jan: Great Service Star Award awarded by the South Dakota Department of Tourism
Prestigious LEED® Green Building Silver Certification
National ‘Buildy Award’ – Presented by the Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums honoring Recent Outstanding Museum Projects
Great Service Star Award
Children’s Museum of South Dakota featured in the Chicago Tribune as a ‘must see museum’ >>
CMSD featured in Midwest Living Magazine’s ‘Top 25 New Places’
Mayor’s Award for Historic Preservation
A.B.L.E. Award (Ability, Belief, Leadership and Equality to Achieve Access For All)
The Children’s Museum of South Dakota and Banner Associates awarded the ACEC National Recognition Award for Engineering Excellence for Structural Design
2010
The Children’s Museum of South Dakota awarded the Honor Award by the American Society of Landscape Architects, Great Plains Region
Banner Associates and the Children’s Museum of South Dakota Take Home South Dakota ACEC 2010 Grand Award of Excellence
A place where children learn through play and explore in an environment designed just for them.
Play is the focus of our work day!
Play along with us on the South Dakota prairie!
You can help us spark imagination and support learning through play, creativity, and discovery!
