Robert L. Nielsen Visitor Center

Call (605) 339-1203, ext. 401. The entrance is on north Marion Road off of I-90 (exit 395) and has easy bus turnaround. 

COVID-19 CHANGE OF HOURS

Visitor Center is Open for Tours* Beginning June 29 by appointment only on weekdays.

Call Cindy at 605-339-1203 ext. 401.

*Tours are in Visitor Center only and will not be taken on campus or around the animals. 

As of June 29, 2020, the Visitor Center museum will be open to the public by appointment only on weekdays with groups of ten people or less. The tour must be accompanied by a staff person or volunteer. 

Appointments for museum tour and historical presentation need to be made two week-days in advance of the visit date. We will practice social distancing of groups to remain six feet apart or more. The museum will be disinfected after each tour. If people are not feeling well or have COVID-19 symptoms, we advise that they not visit.  We will be screening each visitor.  The staff AND the visitors all need to wear masks and tours are exclusively at the Visitor Center only. Policies and procedures will be subject to change as we adapt to the outbreak.

Should stricter protection requirements need to be made, we may need to adjust the dates of  tours and operation. Should this happen, our staff will contact any pre-arranged tours to postpone them for a later date. This is a challenging time for everyone and we take the protection of our residents, staff, faculty, volunteers and visitors seriously. 

Conference Center Available for Rent—50 people and less

The conference center room can be rented to parties with 50 people or less. The conference center room will not be rented again for 48 hours after the end of the last event to disinfect the facility.

We reserve the right to cancel the event with seven day notice of the scheduled event to the client, to protect our staff, volunteers and residents. 

We thank you for your cooperation during this difficult and uncertain time. Stay safe.  Presentations and tours are free and must be schedule in advance by calling Cindy Bahe at (605) 339-1203, ext. 401.

NOVEMBER - APRIL                                                      MAY - OCTOBER

Sunday  Closed                                                                Sunday   Closed

Monday  Closed                                                               Monday  10 am - 6 pm                             

Tuesday  Closed                                                              Tuesday Closed  

Wednesday  9 am - 4 pm                                             Wednesday 10 am - 6 pm

Thursday  9 am - 4 pm                                                 Thursday 10 am - 6 pm

Friday  9 am - 4 pm                                                        Friday 10 am - 6 pm

Saturday noon – 4 pm                                                 Saturday 10 am - 6 pm

Campus Tours are available every Thursday at 2:30 pm for the general public.

Tours or visits outside of business hours are available by calling at least 7 days prior to your visit.

The Visitor Center also holds an event center which can be rented for meetings, small conferences and gatherings.

• Round table seating for 95 people.
• Theater-style seating for 200 people.
• A/V projector with sound system and seven-foot wide dropdown screen
• Kitchen area with serving island, refrigerator, microwave, and dishwasher. Caterers welcome!
• Linen tablecloths available.
• Picturesque view of cows in the fields, beside evergreen and deciduous trees.
• The wrap-around deck overlooks the fields and trees and provides a beautiful break area.
• Alcoholic beverages may be brought on site by client.
• Call for fees and availability.

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