Patricia Kendall, speaking for the Dakota Prairie Museum on Jan. 5, told the City of Aberdeen council the museum is a “year round cultural anchor in Downtown Aberdeen” that welcomed more than 17,000 visitors last year and is asking the council to continue promotional support in the fiscal 2027 budget.

Kendall said Brown County covers the museum’s employee salaries, benefits and basic operating costs, but that exhibits, programming, collections care and special events rely on gift-shop sales, fundraising grants and endowments. “Promotional funds from the city are a critical piece that help us leverage those private dollars and extend the museum's impact downtown and throughout the community,” she said.

The presentation highlighted recent attendance and program metrics. Kendall said the museum recorded its best December on record with “well over 2,100 visitors” in that month and closed the year at “over 18,000 visitors.” She said the Rosemarie and Dean Buntrock Gallery, which opened Dec. 9, has drawn more than 2,000 visits since opening.

Kendall described audience engagement data — an average visit duration of about 50 minutes and a median of 42 minutes — and said only about 5% of the museum’s collection is on display, which she portrayed as an opportunity for future growth. She also outlined planned use of 2026 promotional funds tied to the American 250 celebration to purchase two six-foot traveling-panel exhibits for loan to libraries, schools and other community partners at no cost.

On education outreach, Kendall said museum educators logged more than 8,000 student interactions over the past year, with roughly 400 classroom visits annually and, during the school-tour season, about 50 classes from nearly 20 regional schools (about 1,200 students total). She said the museum is conducting feasibility and required studies now to understand construction scope and costs for any expansion and will return to the council with more detailed planning information.

Kendall closed by thanking the council for prior support and inviting members to visit the museum. Council members in attendance offered thanks and encouragement for continued partnership.

The museum’s request will be considered as part of the city’s upcoming budget and program-review process; Kendall said she expects to present more detailed planning outcomes later this year.