This online calendar of events emphasizes educational, archaeological, preservation, and history related programs throughout the year across South Dakota. Green entries denote activities at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. Blue entries denote off-site activities sponsored by the SD State Historical Society and/or the Heritage Fund. If you would like to submit an event to be included on the calendar, please complete and submit the following form: Events form, PDF or Events form, Word.

June 2012

Event: OUR SOUTH DAKOTA: BIG LAND | BIG IDEAS | BIG HEART Exhibit
Description: The exhibit examines the physical and mental landscapes of South Dakota, past and present. Explore the physical realities of our state and how these realities shape our attitudes and the communities we form. And, have a great time doing it! Come and measure yourself against a full-size replica of Washington’s nose from Mount Rushmore, see how many South Dakotas fit across the entire U.S., try your hand at typing on a manual typewriter. Come and experience Our South Dakota!
Location:  Cultural Heritage Center, Hogen Gallery, 900 Governors Dr., Pierre
Time: Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Sun. & Holidays* 1-4:30 p.m. CT
Admission:  Members free; Adults $4, Seniors $3, 17 & under free (Free to all on the 1st Sunday of every month)
Sponsor: South Dakota State Historical Society
Contact: 605-773-3458
* The Cultural Heritage Center is closed on New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Event: “March Madness: South Dakota Style” Exhibit
Description: The display highlights the history of state high school basketball tournaments. This small exhibit includes artifacts and photos from the collection of the South Dakota State Historical Society of both boys and girls high school teams. Some of the artifacts included are jerseys, awards, programs and pennants. The exhibit is located just inside the museum gallery entrance, and will be up until September.
Location:  Cultural Heritage Center, 900 Governors Dr., Pierre
See above for hours and admisstion information.

Event: SD State Archives Open
Description: The State Archives is open every 1st Saturday of the month. Staff will be available to assist with research. The State Archives manages a collection of photographs, films, maps, books, newspapers, state and county records, as well as personal and organizational records.
Location:  Cultural Heritage Center, 900 Governors Dr., Pierre
Date/Time: June 2, 2012; 9 a.m to 4:30 p.m. CT
Admission:  Free
Sponsor: South Dakota State Historical Society
Contact: Archives (e-mail or web), 605-773-3804

Event: Buffalo Busters
Description: Spend an afternoon debunking many of the myths and much of the mystery surrounding one of America’s most iconic symbols of the western frontier—the buffalo. Chad Kremer, herd manager at Custer State Park, will speak about the majestic creature’s historic rise and fall and recent resurgence in popularity. Jim Jandreau, will discuss the uniquely dependent relationship the Plains Indians had with the buffalo. Glenn Wyatt, Vice President of the Vore Buffalo Jump Foundation, will address how the archaeological remains found at the 500-year old site reveal the rapid cultural changes the Plains Indians experienced. Black Hills buffalo rancher, Hank Frawley, will transport participants to his property to see buffalo, including newly-born calves, up-close and personal. The day will wind down with a social hour and buffalo art display followed by a delicious buffalo buffet with all the trimmings. Pre-registration for this event is required.
Location: Elk Horn Ridge RV Resort Event Center, Exit 17, Spearfish
Date/Time: June 2, 2012; 12:30-7:00 p.m. MT
Admission: $50 per person—includes lectures, tour, social hour and buffet
Sponsor: Deadwood History (Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center), Dakota Territory Buffalo Association, Elk Horn Ridge RV Resort
Contact: To pre-register, please call the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center at 605-722-4800.

Event: Oahe Chapel Ecumenical Sunday Service, host:
Description: Hosted by various local churches, ecumenical services are held at the historic Oahe Chapel every Sunday from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. The Oahe Chapel was established by Rev. Thomas L. Riggs, a Congregationalist minister, and his first wife, Cornelia Margaret “Nina” Foster, to serve as a mission to the Sioux Indians of central South Dakota. The chapel was originally located on the east bank of the Missouri River at Peoria Flats, roughly five miles upriver from its current location. It was moved to its current location in 1964 after construction of the Oahe Dam flooded the original site. The chapel is owned by the South Dakota State Historical Society and managed by the Oahe Chapel Preservation Society, which oversees its maintenance and preservation.
Location: The chapel is located adjacent to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Visitor Center, approximately five miles north of Pierre on SD Highway 1804.
Date/Time: June 3, 2012; 8 a.m. CT
Admission: Free; Open to the public
Sponsor: Oahe Chapel Preservation Society, Pierre-Ft. Ministerial Association
Contact: Cindy Snow, 605-773-2907, cindy.snow@state.sd.us

Event: Free admittance to the Museum of the SD State Historical Society
Description: Admittance to the museum is free the 1st Sunday of the month. The Museum has 15,000 square feet of exhibition space with exhibits divided into five galleries.
Location: Cultural Heritage Center, 900 Governors Dr., Pierre
Date/Time: June 3, 2012; 1-4:30 p.m. CT
Admission:  Free
Sponsor: South Dakota State Historical Society
Contact: 605-773-3458

Event: Lord Grizzly by Frederick Manfred - History & Heritage Book Club
Description: Celebrating the 100th anniversary of Manfred's birthday, the guest speaker will be Freya Manfred, the author's daughter. Funding for this program is made possible by the South Dakota Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Location:  Cultural Heritage Center, 900 Governors Dr., Pierre
Date/Time: June 4, 2012; 7 p.m. CT
Admission: Free
Sponsor: South Dakota Humanities Council, South Dakota State Historical Society & South Dakota Historical Society Foundation
Contact: Dorinda Daniel 605-773-6006, dorinda.daniel@state.sd.us
Additional Comments: The book club meets the 2nd Tuesday of every month at the Cultural Heritage Center. Occasionally the date, time, or location my change for a special program. All books are available for purchase at the Heritage Store located in the Cultural Heritage Center and at the Capitol. The History & Heritage Book Club is open to everyone. People who want to join the discussion by telephone are welcome to do so by making arrangements in advance with Dorinda (see above).

Event: Exploration Camp
Description: Youth in grades K-2 for the 2012-2013 school year are invited to start their summer with Exploration Camp. This summer exploration camp is all about Black Hills animals! Each day we will study a different animal that lives in the Black Hills from pine beetles to rainbow trout to turkeys. We will learn what they eat, where they live and what types of sounds they make. Snacks will be provided. Reservations required.
Location:  Historic Adams House lawn, 22 Van Buren Ave., Deadwood
Date/Time: June 4-8, 2012; 9 a.m to Noon MT
Admission:  $40 for non-members, $30 for members
Sponsor: Adams Museum and Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission
Contact: Chelsie Bauer, Museum Educator, 605-578-1928, or e-mail at chelsie@theadamsdeadwood.org for information & reservations

Event: Oahe Chapel Ecumenical Sunday Service, host:
Description: Hosted by various local churches, ecumenical services are held at the historic Oahe Chapel every Sunday from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. The Oahe Chapel was established by Rev. Thomas L. Riggs, a Congregationalist minister, and his first wife, Cornelia Margaret “Nina” Foster, to serve as a mission to the Sioux Indians of central South Dakota. The chapel was originally located on the east bank of the Missouri River at Peoria Flats, roughly five miles upriver from its current location. It was moved to its current location in 1964 after construction of the Oahe Dam flooded the original site. The chapel is owned by the South Dakota State Historical Society and managed by the Oahe Chapel Preservation Society, which oversees its maintenance and preservation.
Location: The chapel is located adjacent to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Visitor Center, approximately five miles north of Pierre on SD Highway 1804.
Date/Time: June 10, 2012; 8 a.m. CT
Admission: Free; Open to the public
Sponsor: Oahe Chapel Preservation Society, Pierre-Ft. Ministerial Association
Contact: Cindy Snow, 605-773-2907, cindy.snow@state.sd.us

Event: Archaeology Field School
Description: Students in grades 7-12 for the 2012-2013 school year can experience a week-long archaeology dig.An active dig will take place at an old ice farm on the outskirts of Deadwood. Lessons will include Deadwood history, natural history, site history, preservation and, of course, archaeology. Various field trips, hikes, games and team-building activities will happen. Students need to bring lunch and sunscreen every day and make sure to drink lots of water, as they learn the importance of careful archaeology skills. Field School students are welcome to come back for any camp over the summer as a counselor for younger children’s camps. Snacks provided twice daily. Reservations required.
Location:  Historic Adams House lawn, 22 Van Buren Ave., Deadwood
Date/Time: June 11-15, 2012; 8:30 a.m to 4 p.m. MT
Admission:  $75 non-members, $65 for members
Sponsor: Adams Museum and Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission
Contact: Chelsie Bauer, Museum Educator, 605-578-1928, or e-mail at chelsie@theadamsdeadwood.org for information & reservations

Event: South Dakota Historical Society Foundation Fundraiser
Description: Let someone else cook tonight! Dine in, carry out, or purchase a pie or muffins at Perkins Restaurant in Fort Pierre and a portion of the proceeds go to the South Dakota Historical Society Foundation
Location:  Perkins Restaurant & Bakery, 217 E. Hustan Ave., Fort Pierre
Date/Time: June 14, 2012; 4-8 p.m. CT
Admission: Free
Sponsor: SD Historical Society Foundation & Perkins
Contact: SDHS Foundation 605-773-3458

Event: Oahe Chapel Ecumenical Sunday Service, host:
Description: Hosted by various local churches, ecumenical services are held at the historic Oahe Chapel every Sunday from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. The Oahe Chapel was established by Rev. Thomas L. Riggs, a Congregationalist minister, and his first wife, Cornelia Margaret “Nina” Foster, to serve as a mission to the Sioux Indians of central South Dakota. The chapel was originally located on the east bank of the Missouri River at Peoria Flats, roughly five miles upriver from its current location. It was moved to its current location in 1964 after construction of the Oahe Dam flooded the original site. The chapel is owned by the South Dakota State Historical Society and managed by the Oahe Chapel Preservation Society, which oversees its maintenance and preservation.
Location: The chapel is located adjacent to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Visitor Center, approximately five miles north of Pierre on SD Highway 1804.
Date/Time: June 17, 2012; 8 a.m. CT
Admission: Free; Open to the public
Sponsor: Oahe Chapel Preservation Society, Pierre-Ft. Ministerial Association
Contact: Cindy Snow, 605-773-2907, cindy.snow@state.sd.us

Event: Archaeology Camp
Description: Youth in grades 3-7 for the 2012-2013 school year are invited to a week-long camp about archaeology and the history of Deadwood. Archaeology Camp is an active, outdoor experience on a real archaeological dig site. Children should be prepared to hike and work in the dirt, as well as listen carefullyand follow directions from camp leaders and professional archaeologists. Students need to pack a lunch every day, bring sunscreen and drink lots of water. Campers will learn: an introduction to the field of archaeology; why we conduct archaeological digs; what stories artifacts can tell us about the past; some early history about Deadwood; how to map a site; how to use a compass and use team-building skills. Snacks provided twice daily. Reservations required.
Location:  Historic Adams House lawn, 22 Van Buren Ave., Deadwood
Date/Time: June 18-22, 2012; 8:30 a.m to 4 p.m. MT
Admission:  $55 for non-members, $45 for members
Sponsor: Adams Museum and Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission
Contact: Chelsie Bauer, Museum Educator, 605-578-1928, or e-mail at chelsie@theadamsdeadwood.org for information & reservations

Event: Oahe Chapel Ecumenical Sunday Service, host:
Description: Hosted by various local churches, ecumenical services are held at the historic Oahe Chapel every Sunday from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. The Oahe Chapel was established by Rev. Thomas L. Riggs, a Congregationalist minister, and his first wife, Cornelia Margaret “Nina” Foster, to serve as a mission to the Sioux Indians of central South Dakota. The chapel was originally located on the east bank of the Missouri River at Peoria Flats, roughly five miles upriver from its current location. It was moved to its current location in 1964 after construction of the Oahe Dam flooded the original site. The chapel is owned by the South Dakota State Historical Society and managed by the Oahe Chapel Preservation Society, which oversees its maintenance and preservation.
Location: The chapel is located adjacent to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Visitor Center, approximately five miles north of Pierre on SD Highway 1804.
Date/Time: June 24, 2012; 8 a.m. CT
Admission: Free; Open to the public
Sponsor: Oahe Chapel Preservation Society, Pierre-Ft. Ministerial Association
Contact: Cindy Snow, 605-773-2907, cindy.snow@state.sd.us

Event: Archaeology Camp
Description: Youth in grades 3-7 for the 2012-2013 school year are invited to a week-long camp about archaeology and the history of Deadwood. Archaeology Camp is an active, outdoor experience on a real archaeological dig site. Children should be prepared to hike and work in the dirt, as well as listen carefullyand follow directions from camp leaders and professional archaeologists. Students need to pack a lunch every day, bring sunscreen and drink lots of water. Campers will learn: an introduction to the field of archaeology; why we conduct archaeological digs; what stories artifacts can tell us about the past; some early history about Deadwood; how to map a site; how to use a compass and use team-building skills. Snacks provided twice daily. Reservation required.
Location:  Historic Adams House lawn, 22 Van Buren Ave., Deadwood
Date/Time: June 25-29, 2012; 8:30 a.m to 4 p.m. MT
Admission:  $55 for non-members, $45 for members
Sponsor: Adams Museum and Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission
Contact: Chelsie Bauer, Museum Educator, 605-578-1928, or e-mail at chelsie@theadamsdeadwood.org for information & reservations

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