Pioneer Museum-McKenzie County
2nd, Watford City, ND

Pioneer Museum-McKenzie County Reviews

4.5 stars based on 25 reviews

Featured Comments:

• N

  Nikol Richards

  4.0

  First off -its FREE! Second off, it's a nice museum, has a cute gift shop, and TONS of information about the area

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  Megan Krantz

  5.0

  I had an excellent time— I’ve lived in ND my whole life and knew almost nothing about the Watford City/ McKenzie County area’s history. The museum had a lot of cool artifacts and the woman running it was wonderful to chat with

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  Mark Richardson

  2.0

  This is a strange combination: a pioneer museum (mostly upstairs) with a liquor store downstairs?? What a unique concept, hah! It was pleasant enough, I guess, but I had my 5 year old son in tow and happened to wander through the liquor store. I was then given a rather brusk bum's rush, by one of the proprietors. OK, well, what is it--a museum or a liquor store? and we were out the door after that in a flash. To me, somebody needs to make a decision about the dual purposes of this establishment. Family friendly and family appropriate--or not?

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  Response from the owner

  Hey Mark Richardson, So sorry to hear about the "rather brusk bum's rush out of the store". And too bad they didn't share the history/story of the marriage of entities. There are actually three within the building: Pioneer Museum of McKenzie County, McKenzie Tourism Bureau, and the Watford City Community Benefit Assoc (Long X Bottle Shop-liquor store). The building evolved late 80's as a bit of an answer to the economic downturn in economy in the Watford City area as a way to market tourism. So the McKenzie County Tourism Bureau located in the building along with the Pioneer Museum. They wanted a business with extended business hours to help with that marketing process of the area and inviting any business with those longer hours to participate. The WCCBA stepped up to that plate. The WCCBA (Long X Package Store) is a nonprofit organization. Their profits, after expense, goes back to the community. They have helped hundreds of organizations through out the years, since the 1950's, by grants to various organizations. Yes, it is a liquor store on the north side of the building with their own door and a closed swing door between inside. But (maybe strangely sounding) it is truly a unique cooperation of organizations! My hope is you were able to tour the museum with your son and visited the various exhibits, including the lower area where we have a special section for touching and teaching the children about the farming and ranching history in our county.

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