The Dakota Territorial Museum is owned and operated by the Yankton County Historical Society, which was formed in 1961. The Society built the Museum in 1971 to serve as the medium by which the Yankton County Historical Society fulfills the preservation, protection, interpretation, and education of the public about the heritage and development of the city and county of Yankton as well as its surrounding areas.

Visitors to the Museum during the summer can come on from Monday to Friday at 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00pm to 4:00 pm. Tours will be let them view the memorabilia of early Yankton and Dakota Territory days. This includes Native American Sioux Indian and Pioneer artifacts. Through its collection and displays, the Museum enables the visitors to take a look into the rich history of Yankton. The Museum features unique displays, period room exhibits, and a variety of outbuildings. Aside from the collection, the Museum building itself is one of the featured outbuildings together with the restored Gunderson Rural School House, the Great Northern Railway Depot as well as the retired Burlington Northern Caboose.