The streets of Lead tell a tale as rich as the gold mined from its hills. Bring your students and experience western South Dakota’s past AND future – in one place! And our Educational Field Trip meets the South Dakota Department of Education requirements.
Check out the Lead Educational Field Trip brochure!
Science, Arts & Culture, Mining History & Artifacts, Ecology, Outdoor Sports and Recreation
HANDLEY RECREATION CENTER
The Handley Center gets involved and promotes wellness and physical fitness. Learn about ecology, outdoor sports, recreation. A 2016 indoor multi-purpose sports court is currently being installed. Bus parking is available.
BLACK HILLS MINING MUSEUM
In the Black Hills Mining Museum your group will experience a walk through time in the low-lit, timbered passages of a simulated underground gold mine, which was masterfully constructed by more than 130 actual Homestake miners. The Museum includes historic mining artifacts, archived photographs, and local history exhibits. You can even pan for gold! Located next to the Historic Homestake Opera House.
HISTORIC HOMESTAKE OPERA HOUSE
The Historic Homestake Opera House was built by the Homestake Gold Mine and seated 1,000 people. It also boasted a bowling alley, billiard hall, library, social hall and even a heated indoor swimming pool! Hear a soloist perform, enjoy fine acoustics, climb a grand staircases, and get a sneak peek at recently finished restoration. Performing arts shows are featured year-round.
LEAD-DEADWOOD ARTS CENTER & GALLERY
Our Arts Center showcases art in different media such as paintings, pottery, jewelry, and stained glass. You’ll learn how art is used to promote Lead and history, as well as creating your own interpretation of art pieces. Located in the front of the Historic Homestake Opera House.
SANFORD LAB HOMESTAKE VISITOR CENTER
The Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center is a brand-new $7 millions welcome center located on the edge of the Open Cut, a 1,250-ft deep and half-mile wide mining site. Check out the amazing view as guides explain the unique rock formations. Exhibits touch on the Homestake Gold Mine’s 125-year history and showcase how a broad range of experiments are now occurring in the underground research facility.
MANUEL BROTHERS PARK
The Manuel Bros Park is a large, scenic picnic spot used for field trip recreation. Located next to the Open Cut; it is named for the Homestake deposit first discovered by Fred and Moses Manuel, Alex Engh and Hank Harney in April 1876 during the Black Hills Gold Rush. Bus parking is available.
You can customize your own trip, choosing 1.5 hours, 3 hours or entire day package for your group. All Lead Educational Field Trips are free to teachers, chaperones and bus drivers and financial aid is available. For more information contact the Lead Education Field Trip Coordinator, Donna Job, at (605) 584-3110.