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Historic Adams House

The Historic Adams House was built in 1892 by Deadwood pioneers Harris and Anna Franklin. Local contemporary press described the home as “the grandest house west of the Mississippi”. The elegant Queen Anne-style house heralded a wealthy and socially prominent new age for Deadwood, a former rough and tumble gold mining town.

Influential business leaders of Deadwood often gathered for dinner in the Adams House dining room to enjoy an evening meal and discuss the day’s current events. Guests would be treated to fine dining on a table set with monogrammed silverware, 18-karat gold charger plates, and crystal wine glasses. The food was superior, the room was opulent, and the conversations were lively. It was a grand way to pass the evening.

It has been said the parlor was the most important room in any Victorian home. The parlor at the Historic Adams House was no exception. With a cozy fireplace, a beautifully sturdy upright piano, and a Victrola that played all genre of recordings, the parlor assured that guests were surrounded by the best when they called upon the occupants of this lovely home.

Christmas Tours of the Historic Adams House:  November 24-26, December 1-3, 8-10, and 15-17. The historic home will be elegantly dressed during the Christmas season. The open house-style tour will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. A kid-friendly scavenger hunt with a prize will be available for children.  Unique gifts are available for purchase in the Adams House Gift Shop.  Tickets are $8 for members and $12 for non-members, $5 for children 6 – 12, and free to children 5 and under.  General admission tickets can be purchased online at DeadwoodHistory.com or at the door.  For more information please call 605-722-4800.

Hours of Operation

November through March: Closed, but will be open for Christmas Tours in December and group tours with advance reservations.

May through September: Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with the last tour at 4:00 p.m.

22 Van Buren Deadwood, SD 57732

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In 1930 pioneer businessman W.E. Adams founded the Adams Museum in Deadwood, with the purpose of preserving and displaying the history of the Black Hills.

Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center (HARCC) - Deadwood - offers a variety of rental options for meetings and events of all sizes.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS The Days of '76 celebration began in 1924 as a way to honor Deadwood’s first pioneers - the prospectors, miners, muleskinners, and madams who poured into

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Historic Adams House

• Address 22 Van Buren St. Deadwood, South Dakota 57732
• Hours Monday–Friday 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Saturday–Sunday 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m
• Phone 605-578-3724

Visit Historic Adams House

The Historic Adams House, a fully restored Queen Anne-style mansion built in 1892, recounts the tragedies and triumphs of two of Deadwood's founding families, including that of W.E. Adams, the founder of the Adams Museum. The stained-glass windows, modern 19th-century indoor plumbing and electricity, telephone service, and original furnishings chronicle Deadwood’s transition from a raucous mining camp into a prosperous and technologically rich city. After Adams' death in 1934, his wife shut the house up and let it sit for almost 60 years. The home was purchased in 1992 by the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission and then restored to become a house museum in 1998.

October and April, museum open 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tuesday–Saturday. The Historic Adams House is closed November–March.

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Adams House

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Adams House - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

• (0.00 km) Adam's House
• (0.04 km) Historic Deadwood Home!
• (0.05 km) Steps to Main St. Deadwood Presidential Victorian Home 4 Bdrm 3 Bath
• (0.11 km) 1899 Inn
• (0.08 km) Aunt Sophia's Bed and Breakfast
• (0.16 km) Lou Lou’s Bomdiggity’s Pasties
• (0.36 km) Jacobs Brewhouse & Grocer
• (0.37 km) Pump House
• (0.57 km) Deadwood Legends Steakhouse at The Franklin Hotel
• (0.38 km) Dale's Restaurant

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Adams Museum & House

Visit two distinctively different pieces of Deadwood history. Bits, pieces, and whole collections are preserved at the unique Adams Museum. Step back in time as you tour through the beautifully restored, Queen-Anne style mansion - The Historic Adams House. You don't want to miss either of these "must-see" attractions!ADAMS MUSEUM54 Sherman StreetDeadwood, SDDiscover the Black Hills’ oldest history museum.  Here you'll explore the town’s raucous history and legendary characters. It is home to some of the Black Hills’ greatest treasures, including the City of Deadwood’s Wild Bill Hickok collection, Potato Creek Johnny’s gold nugget, and a one-of-a-kind plesiosaur (marine reptile). Admission by donation.  Open year-round. HISTORIC ADAMS HOUSE22 Van Buren StreetDeadwood, SDThis fully restored Queen Anne style mansion, recounts the tragedies and triumphs of two of Deadwood's founding families. The stained glass windows, modern 19th-century indoor plumbing and electricity, telephone service, and original furnishings chronicle Deadwood’s transition from a raucous mining camp into a prosperous and technologically rich city. An affordable admission is charged to help keep this history alive. Open April – October.  

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Adams House

Top ways to experience Adams House and nearby attractions

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Adams House - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Home » Ghost Tour Locations » Deadwood Ghost Tour » The Adams House

Two of Deadwood’s most prominent early citizens lived in the Adams House . One of their spirits has remained to watch over the home. Deadwood’s haunted Victorian mansion is now a museum dedicated to the life and work of W.E Adams, a man who served as mayor for six terms. His ghost haunts the old Victorian mansions alongside his life’s belongings. 

The home was boarded up in 1936, two years after W.E Adams’s passing. His wife, Mary, left it exactly as is, leaving bedsheets, china, and other belongings behind. She kept hearing her deceased husband wandering about the 2nd floor and decided life would be better in sunny California. 

The home became a bed and breakfast in 1988 and a museum in 2000. There are constant reports and sightings of old W.E Adams, making it one of the most haunted mansions in Deadwood. 

Quick Facts

• Upon construction, the Adams House came complete with central heating, indoor plumbing, and electricity 
• The Franklin family were early settlers of Deadwood who made a fortune in the grocery business and banking
• W.E Adams ran for mayor and lost in 1916 against Nathan Franklin, the man he bought the house from 

Early Prominent Citizens of Deadwood

The Franklin family and the Adams family were two of Deadwood’s most prominent citizens around the turn of the 20th century. The Franklin Family, who built the historic home in 1892, came to Deadwood in 1877 at a time when essential services were in high demand.

Harris Franklin and his wife Anna had their hands in various industries: cattle, alcohol, banking, and, of course, gold mining. They accumulated a small fortune and bought four acres of land between 1883 and 1890.

Their beautiful home was constructed in 1893 at the cost of $300,000 in today’s money. Although this is a relatively small fare, the home came with the most modern of amenities. Indoor plumbing, electricity, and central heating all made life easy in the 10-bedroom, red sandstone-lined building. It was considered the finest home in Deadwood and still is! 

In 1904, Harris and Anna sold their home to their son, Nathan , for just one dollar! Nathan lived here while continuing to grow the family business and name. He served as Mayor for two terms and incorporated the Consolidated Power & Light Company of Deadwood and Leed. 

In 1920, he sold the home to his former political rival, W.E Adams, and moved to New York. 

The Adams Family

W.E Adams, six-time mayor of Deadwood and former town grocery, had a string of poor luck in his family life during his third term. Shortly after purchasing the house, his wife Alice had been diagnosed with cancer. 

Alice died while visiting their daughter Helen in Michigan, sending the poor young and pregnant Helen into a state of shock. A premature birth followed, killing both mother and child. 

A heartbroken W.E Adams carried on, remarrying a woman named Mary who was some forty years younger! While many suspected she was more than your typical Deadwood gold digger, these doubts were squelched when she convinced Adams to open The Adams Family Museum in honor of Alice and their family.

Deadwood’s Haunted Victorian Mansion

W.E Adams and Mary lived happily in their sought-after home for many years. But, in 1934, Adams died of a stroke inside the home. Two years later, in 1936, she packed up and moved to California, leaving the house behind as is. She claimed her husband was haunting the building and couldn’t stand to be there any longer. 

All of the Adams’ belongings, the bedsheets, china, silverware, and medicine, were left to gather dust. And they did so for the next fifty years. In 1987, Mary Adams finally sold the homes to a young couple, Bruce and Rebecca Crosswait. Age had taken its toll on the Victorian home; the roofs were caving in, and water damage was evident. 

The two opened a bed and breakfast to pay for the repairs. Almost immediately, they learned why Mary Adams left – the house was haunted by Deadwood’s former mayor! 

In 1992, the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission purchased the building and turned it into the museum we see today. Over 80% of the furnishings in the home are original, making W.E Adams even more at home in his old mansion. 

Hauntings of The Adams House

Tours are offered of the beautiful manor, and many have met the man of the house on multiple occasions! Objects often float around the second floor, and the stench of cigar smoke quickly follows. 

During tours, Mary’s rocking chair has swayed back and forth, seemingly on its own. A sure signal that W.E Adams is thinking of his beloved wife. 

His first wife has not been forgotten; her photo has fallen off the wall during tours on numerous occasions. Museum operators consider W.E Adams to be a friendly spirit, and he seems pleased to welcome new guests into his home. 

Haunted Deadwood

Come and be one of these guests to The Adams Home and the rest of Deadwood! The ruff and tumble gold mining town is filled with history and haunted places. Take a guided ghost tour with one of our experienced tour guides to see for yourself! In the meantime, check out our blog to get more excited about your adventure through Deadwood, and be sure to follow us on Facebook , Instagram , and TikTok . 

https://www.deadwoodhistory.com/about-us/properties/historic-adams-house.html

https://www.kotatv.com/content/news/Historic-Adams-House-combines-history-paranormal-activity-496636011.html

https://www.cityofdeadwood.com/historic-preservation/page/historic-adams-house

https://www.ourparanormalworld.com/deadwood/

https://www.kotatv.com/2021/10/26/an-investigation-into-adams-house-hauntings/

https://www.travelsouthdakota.com/trip-ideas/haunted-deadwood-wilder-west-experience

https://www.cityofdeadwood.com/city-commission/page/nathan-e-franklin-term-1914-1918

https://www.jmaw.org/deadwoods-franklin-home-jewish/

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Group Tours (Adult)

Adams museum (minimum of 10).

The Black Hills’ oldest history museum introduces you to Deadwood legends such as Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, Seth Bullock, and a rare plesiosaur fossil. Here we show you why Deadwood is famous as an iconic Western town.

• $6  per person for motorcoach tours and group tours
• Tour manager and motorcoach driver are complimentary
• Special services offered to groups: Guided tours of the museum available with advance reservations (first floor).
• Handicapped access:  Yes
• Motorcoach parking:  Yes  (call for more information)

THE BROTHEL DEADWOOD

Brothels were a fixture on the second story of several Deadwood Main Street buildings from 1876-1980. This aspect of Deadwood’s history, although difficult and uncomfortable to talk about, had a huge impact on the community. A series of eight rooms have been curated with period-appropriate furnishings to help transport the visitor to another era. 

• $15 per person for motorcoach tours and group tours
• Motorcoach tour manager comp and driver are complimentary
• Handicapped access: No
• Motorcoach parking is available in the Deadwood Welcome Center or Sherman Street parking lots

DAYS OF ’76 MUSEUM (MINIMUM OF 10)

The Days of ’76 Museum documents the city’s longest-running celebration and rodeo. It features exceptional exhibits of carriages, wagons, historic firearms, American Indian artifacts, and illustrates Deadwood’s enduring friendship with Buffalo Bill Cody.

• $7  per person for motorcoach tours, and  $8  for group tours
• Special services offered to groups: Guided tours of the museum available with advance reservations.
• Motorcoach parking:  Yes

HISTORIC ADAMS HOUSE (MINIMUM OF 10)

The meticulously restored 1892 Queen Anne-style home with original contents chronicles Deadwood’s transition from a raucous mining camp into a prosperous and technologically rich city. Discover the triumphs and tragedies of two of Deadwood’s founding families.

• $9  per person for motorcoach tours, and  $10  for group tours
• Guided tour with a docent
• Handicapped access:  Yes  (first floor only)
• Motorcoach parking:  No  (call for parking options)
• Tea and Tour available –  $17  per person; minimum of 10 and maximum 20

EXPERIENTIAL TEA & TOUR OF THE HISTORIC ADAMS HOUSE

• Cost  $17  per person per tour
• Tea & Tour  Minimum: 10 | Maximum: 20 | 75 minutes | Most days of the week | Must book 48 hours in advance 
• Tea and cookies served on the lawn following the guided tour.

SALES CONTACT

Rose Speirs 605-722-4800 [email protected]