The Dakota Discovery Museum and Art Gallery formally, The Friends of the Middle Border Museum exists to preserve and promote the heritage of the Native American and immigrant people of the Middle Border states, primarily for the the period 1600 - 1939, and interpret the museum's collection for the public through educational tours, permanent exhibitions, and special programming. 

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The history and art of the area are weaved tougher through stories of endurance, conflict, adaptation and creativity. From ancient traditions to homesteader dreams, from the river's pulse to the railroad's march, the region reflects the American spirit in all its complexity. Through artifacts, murals, clothing, tools and memories, the museum preserves a legacy that continues to shape identities today. Visitors leave with a deeper sense of the land, the people, and the shared journey.