Sioux Falls council approves gifting Brock House taxidermy collection to three institutions after public debate

The Sioux Falls City Council voted 8-0 Tuesday to declare the Delbridge (Brock House) taxidermy collection surplus and to gift the full set of 152 specimens to three nonprofit institutions after a yearlong review and a contested public comment period.

The working group appointed by the mayor recommended splitting the collection: 117 specimens to the University of Notre Dame Museum of Biodiversity, 33 to the Oddities Museum (Atlanta), and 2 to the Institute for Natural History Arts. The council accepted that recommendation and approved an amendment requiring the city to create an interactive exhibit at the Great Plains Zoo before completing the gifts.

Why it matters: The Delbridge collection has been on public display in Sioux Falls for decades and became the focus of heated local debate over preservation, public access, and the city’s capacity to fund long-term care. City leaders, zoo staff and members of the working group said the chosen recipients will preserve the specimens and make them available for education and research.

Don Kearney, director of Parks and Recreation, told the council the working group conducted an extended due diligence process, including on-site condition assessments by AM Art Conservation, Wildlife Interiors, Headhunter Trophy Care and George Dante Studios, then published a request-for-interest that drew qualified offers from institutions outside South Dakota. Kearney said House Bill 1100, effective July 1, 2024, allowed the city to consider gifts to qualified entities outside the state and changed the legal options available to the city.

Becky DeWitts, president and CEO of the Great Plains Zoo, and working-group members including Janelle Lust said the institutions that volunteered to receive parts of the collection have capacity, curatorial staff and plans to display and conserve the specimens. DeWitts said she had been in contact with members of the Delbridge family and that six of eight sisters had signed a letter supporting the plan.

The council heard more than a dozen public comments, many urging the city to keep the collection in Sioux Falls, calling the items part of local history and criticizing the process as rushed or insufficiently public. Commenters suggested alternatives including local fundraising, expanded on-site exhibits, or loans rather than permanent gifting. Others supported the working-group recommendation, arguing the selected museums can provide the conservation expertise and public access the city could not sustainably guarantee.

Councilor McCorris moved the main motion to declare the collection surplus and gift it to the named institutions; Councilor Sigurdi seconded. Councilor Bassey offered the amendment adding a requirement for the zoo interactive exhibit and a location tied to the zoo master plan; the amendment was seconded by Councilor McCouris and adopted before the final vote, which was recorded 8-0 in favor.

The city attorney confirmed each recipient will take ownership “as is” and that, under the current drafting and state law changes noted by staff, the transfers involve complete transfers of ownership without ongoing city strings. Staff also reported that the working group had asked recipient organizations for IRS documentation and letters of commitment; Kearney said all were found to be reputable and able to maintain the specimens.

The council’s action does not transfer specimens immediately; the resolution directs staff to complete formal gifting agreements with the three institutions and to implement the amendment requiring an interactive exhibit at the Great Plains Zoo prior to or in coordination with transfers.

A few residents urged the council to delay, request additional public outreach or pursue fundraising to keep the collection locally; others praised the decision as the most viable way to ensure long-term conservation and research access.

The council also directed the city auditor (separately) to review existing gifting agreements citywide, a measure proponents said will clarify future expectations for donated materials.

Votes at a glance: Motion to declare the Brock House collection surplus and gift specimens to University of Notre Dame (117), Oddities Museum (33), Institute for Natural History Arts (2) — motion moved by Councilor McCorris, second by Councilor Sigurdi; amendment adding a requirement for an interactive exhibit at the Great Plains Zoo moved by Councilor Bassey, second by Councilor McCouris; final vote 8-0 to approve as amended.

Ending: The council’s approval ends the working-group phase and begins formal contracting with the three recipient institutions and the design process for the zoo exhibit required by the amendment.