HSC Campus Listed on America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places

Mead Building

Current Developments: In October 2008, The Yankton County Historical Society (YCHS) had a positive architectural study and an engineering analysis done on the building. It was at this time that the project was deemed structurally sound and still economically feasible to move forward. A capital campaign consultant is being sought and individuals interested in making financial contributions to the Mead Building Project are asked to contact the Dakota Territorial Museum. Once wild animals are removed from the building and it is secured, public cleanup days will be scheduled to help with cosmetic fixes such as mopping, painting, etc.

The Mead Building was completed in 1909, and is located on the southern side of the Human Services Campus north of Yankton, South Dakota. Named for and built by Dr. Leonard C. Mead, this building is a monument to Dr. Mead’s progressive attitude towards the positive treatment of mentally ill people. Dr. Mead felt that beautiful grounds and buildings were the key to helping his patients connect with some serenity in life. Because of his talented architectural abilities and assistance from his patients, Dr. Mead was able to create an environment that produced a 20 to 25% rehabilitation rate at the Human Services Center.

Mead West Hall

The Yankton County Historical Society (YCHS) has unanimously decided to set up a special committee to review the possibilities of restoring the Mead Building on the Human Services Center campus. Initial review of the building and its structure has shown that the building would suite new museum building needs for the historical society. YCHS feels that the Mead building is a world-class building that will attract many visitors to Yankton.

Please show your support for YCHS saving Mead by becoming a member. Call Crystal Mensch at 605-665-3898 for more details or complete a membership form and mail it to the museum.

Undamaged Artistic Designs on the Walls in the Back Hallways.

Crystal Mensch, Director
Dakota Territorial Museum
610 Summit St.
Yankton, SD 57078
(605) 665-3898

The Mead Building Committee would like to encourage supporters of saving Mead and other buildings at the Human Services Center to contact their local legislators to garner their support in allowing time for feasibility studies to be done on the buildings before they are demolished. You can find legislators (Jean Hunhoff, Charlii Gilson, and Nick Moser) email addresses at http://legis.state.sd.us/email/index.aspx.

Mead Staircase

Mead Building Committee Members

Robert Gehm (Chairman)
320 E. 25th Street, Yankton 661-2400

Dr. Mal Jameson
1200 Maple, Yankton 665-2979

Linda Stephenson
503 Pine St, Yankton 665-4331 or 665-0080

Lois Varvel
313 Pine St., Yankton 665-5985

Tom Steinbach
407 Pine St., Yankton 665-1872 / 668-8496 (w)

Kathie Gerstner
702 W. 11th St, Yankton 665-4885

Crystal Mensch
610 Summit St, Yankton 665-3898 / 280-2157

Paul Lowrie
Yankton 660-1906


About Membership Mead Volunteers Exhibits	HSC Campus Listed on America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places Mead Building Mead Building Current Developments: In October 2008, The Yankton County Historical Society (YCHS) had a positive architectural study and an engineering analysis done on the building. It was at this time that the project was deemed structurally sound and still economically feasible to move forward. A capital campaign consultant is being sought and individuals interested in making financial contributions to the Mead Building Project are asked to contact the Dakota Territorial Museum. Once wild animals are removed from the building and it is secured, public cleanup days will be scheduled to help with cosmetic fixes such as mopping, painting, etc. The Mead Building was completed in 1909, and is located on the southern side of the Human Services Campus north of Yankton, South Dakota. Named for and built by Dr. Leonard C. Mead, this building is a monument to Dr. Mead’s progressive attitude towards the positive treatment of mentally ill people. Dr. Mead felt that beautiful grounds and buildings were the key to helping his patients connect with some serenity in life. Because of his talented architectural abilities and assistance from his patients, Dr. Mead was able to create an environment that produced a 20 to 25% rehabilitation rate at the Human Services Center. Mead West Hall The Yankton County Historical Society (YCHS) has unanimously decided to set up a special committee to review the possibilities of restoring the Mead Building on the Human Services Center campus. Initial review of the building and its structure has shown that the building would suite new museum building needs for the historical society. YCHS feels that the Mead building is a world-class building that will attract many visitors to Yankton. Please show your support for YCHS saving Mead by becoming a member. Call Crystal Mensch at 605-665-3898 for more details or complete a membership form and mail it to the museum. Undamaged Artistic Designs on the Walls in the Back Hallways. Crystal Mensch, Director Dakota Territorial Museum 610 Summit St. Yankton, SD 57078 (605) 665-3898 The Mead Building Committee would like to encourage supporters of saving Mead and other buildings at the Human Services Center to contact their local legislators to garner their support in allowing time for feasibility studies to be done on the buildings before they are demolished. You can find legislators (Jean Hunhoff, Charlii Gilson, and Nick Moser) email addresses at http://legis.state.sd.us/email/index.aspx. Mead Staircase Mead Building Committee Members Robert Gehm (Chairman) 320 E. 25th Street, Yankton 661-2400 Dr. Mal Jameson 1200 Maple, Yankton 665-2979 Linda Stephenson 503 Pine St, Yankton 665-4331 or 665-0080 Lois Varvel 313 Pine St., Yankton 665-5985 Tom Steinbach 407 Pine St., Yankton 665-1872 / 668-8496 (w) Kathie Gerstner 702 W. 11th St, Yankton 665-4885 Crystal Mensch 610 Summit St, Yankton 665-3898 / 280-2157 Paul Lowrie Yankton 660-1906