National Presidential Wax Museum
609 Highway 16A, Keystone, SD
Journey through America’s history at the National Presidential Wax Museum. Located in Keystone, near Mount Rushmore, the museum features lifelike wax figures of every US president, historical artifacts and memorabilia, and realistic depictions of pivotal and iconic moments in the country’s history.
Explore the museum on a self-guided audio tour. Witness the signing of theDeclaration of Independence; experience the start of the Cold War with FDR at Yalta; or join Nixon as he welcomes astronauts back from the moon. The museum also features oil paintings by wartime artist Harvey Dunn, and life masks and death masks cast from the faces of US presidents and celebrities. Visitors can watch a short video to learn about the wax sculpture process.
The museum is ideal for history buffs.
Families with children can request a scavenger hunt brochure from the ticket counter.
The museum is wheelchair accessible, and wheelchairs are available.
The museum hosts a large gift shop.
The museum is located in the southern part of Keystone, about two miles (3.2 kilometers) northeast of Mount Rushmore. There is plenty of on-site parking available.
The museum is open daily from April to October, with extended hours in summer. Last admission is one hour prior to closing. Many visitors combine a visit to the museum with a visit to Mount Rushmore.
There is a wide range of museums in the region. Options include the Keystone Historical Museum, Main Street Classic Car Museum, Old Fort Meade Museum, Days of ’76 Museum, Gold Hill Mining Museum, South Dakota State Mining Museum, Sturgis Car Museum, Museum of Geology, 1881 Courthouse Museum, and the South Dakota Air & Space Museum.
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