Outhouse Museum of South Dakota - Gregory, South Dakota

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Outhouse Museum of South Dakota - Gregory, South Dakota

To see something different you may want to see the exhibits for this block-long outdoor museum of outhouses.

The museum has numerous models. The Rancher has open sides so you can keep an eye on the livestock. The Sportsman features shelving for bowling and golf trophies. The Porta-Outhouse is built on a wagon.

The Congregation came from a church at Dallas. It has six seats, including a small one for juniors. Across from the row of seats is a bench for people waiting their turn.

Most outhouse doors have a half-moon, the original sign for Women. Outhouses for Men had stars. Papousek said neither moons or stars were originally used in South Dakota outhouse architecture because the holes leaked cold air on bare knees.

If you have never used and outhouse you really need to see this museum to fully understand the hardships that your ansestors experienced. They had to stand the cold, heat, smell, work and all just to have a bathroom. Think of digging a new hole to move your outhouse to when the current hole is full.

Richard Papousek is the founder, curator, benefactor and local expert on outhouses.

Admission to the Outhouse Museum is free.

You can buy an outhouse for your personal use or for decorative purposes for a garden area if you want. The sale of the outhouses helps to cover the expenses involved in having the museum available for your enjoyment.

Tour bus parking is available.

Location: Main Street, Gregory, SD