TenHaken administration not backing down on decision to close history museum

Mayor: 170-collection to be disposed of with respect, city has no tolerance risk for arsenic

Mayor Paul TenHaken accused some Sioux Falls city councilors of spreading “misinformation” Tuesday during a press conference on the administration's reasoning to decommission the Delbridge Museum of Natural History.

TenHaken, joined by other city officials, doubled down on a decision to close the museum, saying the city has no choice but to scrap the 170-piece collection of animals that have been on display in Sioux Falls for decades.

Because a majority of the animals in the collection tested positive for arsenic, and even though arsenic was commonly used in taxidermy, “Our risk tolerance is very low,” the mayor said.

Now that the city knows there is arsenic in the collection, the city has an obligation to act because the information is public. TenHaken said the city could be liable if someone in the future claims they've been made sick because of the museum.

“Can you see the lawyers lining up?” he said.

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