1915 Farmhouse

By 1915 South Dakota's farms and ranches were becoming prosperous. Farm income reached one of its highest levels during the first World War. As a result farmers and ranchers build houses to replace their claim shanties. The Neo Classical architecture movement was popular nationally. It manifested itself in a simple way in South Dakota's farm homes during the period. They were white with red, green or black trimmed storm windows and screens. Most of them were a story and a half, and generally if you looked at them from above, they would form a "T" or "t."

The farmhouse exhibit at the State Agricultural Heritage Museum focuses on the kitchen, certainly the center of family activity in any farm home. Its open porch, complete with porch swing and barn lantern, are a popular conversation place for museum visitors. Not too far across the "yard" (exhibit gallery) is the old claim shanty as a reminder of earlier, leaner times on the farm. The prairie had been conquered.

The farmhouse exhibit varies from season to season. Spring features seed catalogs on the kitchen table and muddy boots by the door. Summer features the latest Sears catalog and fresh vegetables from the garden. Christmas trimmings always fill the house in November and December.

Comments or questions, please e-mail us at: sdsu.agmuseum@sdstate.edu