National Music Museum

The National Music Museum in Vermillion holds around 15,000 instruments from many countries and time periods. The building combines a historic Carnegie Library with modern additions that provide space for displaying this large collection.

The museum was founded in the 1970s and began with a private collection of more than 2,500 instruments. Over the following decades, it grew through purchases and donations to reach its current size.

The museum displays instruments from many cultures and shows how they differ in design and purpose. Visitors can see how people around the world made music together and what roles these instruments played in their daily lives.

The museum is located on the University of South Dakota campus and welcomes visitors. Weekday visits tend to be quieter, allowing you to explore the collection at a comfortable pace.

The museum holds two grand pianos from the 18th century with a specific action mechanism rarely found elsewhere. These instruments offer a rare window into how the first modern pianos actually worked.

Location: Vermillion

Inception: 1973

Founders: Andre Larson

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Operator: University of South Dakota

Part of: University of South Dakota

Address: 414 E Clark St, Vermillion, SD 57069

Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday 09:00-17:00

Phone: +16056775306

Email: nmm@usd.edu

Website: http://nmmusd.org

GPS coordinates: 42.78284,-96.92635

Latest update: December 8, 2025 20:01