History

The Granary was founded in 1993 by a group of residents from the communities of Ellendale, North Dakota, Aberdeen and Groton, South Dakota. The Granary campus sits amid farm fields and family homesteads near the James River in northeastern South Dakota. The facilities include two historic buildings restored with local volunteer help and donations, and two acres of land gifted by a farmer.

Granary Memorial Gallery

A grain storage building built by a farmer in 1928 serves as a gallery for exhibitions. The interior was altered, with the advice of Arts Space in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to create 5 galleries within the original grain bins and elevator loft. Adjacent to the Granary is a large gazebo with seating for 50.

Putney Hall

Putney Township Hall built in 1912 by farmers of the community is used for workshops, seminars, meetings and entertainment during events. The building has been refinished and updated and features the original stage, auditorium, balcony, modern rest rooms and air-conditioning.

Walk with Dakota

Landscape

South Dakota State University students of the "Design Theory and Graphic Illustrations" class along with Martin Maca, Associate Professor of Landscape Design, and class instructor Shawn Gallagher, Professional Landscape Architect, adopted the Granary's landscape as a class project in 1999 and developed the original conceptual design for the Granary's "Walk with Dakota" project. As a class project, three proposed plans were submitted to the Granary Planning Committee.

The final plan selected for the 2.3 acres of grounds through the use of land forms and native vegetation represents the natural Dakota environment. The landscape now incorporates symbols of Native American Culture and European settlement that had a significant influence on the Dakota landscape.

The Granary volunteers salute the dedicated efforts of South Dakota State University faculty and students that melded nature and the mission of the Granary Rural Cultural Center.

Bird House

Screened garden house with tables seating 40 adjacent to the "Chartres Labyrinth".

Outdoor Covered Barbeque

A 4'x8' outdoor covered barbeque is located on the Granary Campus adjacent to Putney Hall.

Sculpture Collection

The "Staff of Life", a fine arts sculpture designed by Rebecca Mulvaney - a professional fine artist of Aberdeen - and created by Lavern Gerling - a professional metal sculptor of Ellendale, North Dakota has been fashioned and placed as central artistic creation of the project.

Watch for "Pheasant" iron sculpture by Stephen Fink in the Tall Grass exhibit.

Gift Shop Addition

An gift shop is housed in the new addition to the Granary. The gift shop and main gallery are air-conditioned for comfort and moisture control. Many visitors and tourists attend our various summer fine art exhibitions. The gift shop offers opportunities for Dakota artists to place original works of art on consignment.

Expanded marketing for the fine arts is part of the Granary's mission as well as providing an opportunity for additional revenue for maintenance and programs.