South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center facts for kids

The South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre, South Dakota, is a special place where the history of South Dakota is kept safe and shared. It's like the main office for the South Dakota State Historical Society. This center opened in 1989. It holds important offices for history, preservation, and publishing. It's also home to the State Archives and a Museum. These groups work together to save and explain the history and culture of South Dakota and its people.

The Museum of the South Dakota State Historical Society started in 1901. It now has over 30,000 historical items! The State Archives began in 1975. However, its collections go back to when the State Historical Society first started in 1891. The Archives has a huge amount of records, over 12,000 cubic feet, that show many parts of South Dakota's past.

South Dakota's History Keepers

The South Dakota State Historical Society first began as the Old Settlers Association of Dakota Territory in 1862. After South Dakota became a state in 1889, people knew they needed to save its history. So, the State Historical Society was officially founded on February 27, 1890.

The group became more organized in 1901. That's when the state government created the Department of History. Doane Robinson became the first leader of this department. Their main job was to "collect, preserve, exhibit, and publish" materials about the state's history.

In 1932, the Society moved to the new Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Building. This building was built to honor soldiers from World War I. It gave the Society its own space for offices, collections, and exhibits. The Society stayed there until 1989. To celebrate South Dakota's 100th birthday, the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center was built. It was a special way to honor the state's history.

The Cultural Heritage Center Building

Important people, including Governor George S. Mickelson, started building this center on May 1, 1987. The staff moved into the finished building in early 1989. The center opened to the public in May 1989. Governor Mickelson officially dedicated it on November 3, 1989. This was part of the state's 100th birthday celebration.

The building is very unique! It's 63,000 square feet and built underground. This design reminds people of the earth-covered homes of the Arikara Indians. They used to live along the Missouri River. The building is covered with native prairie grass from Jones County. It also has native plants around it. Just like the sod houses of early settlers, the center's grasses are home to many small animals. These animals eat the wild flowers and herbs that grow there.

Building the center underground helps a lot. It keeps the temperature and humidity just right. This saves energy and protects the old items in the Museum and Archives from damage.

Exploring South Dakota's Past at the Museum

The Museum has a large gallery, about 15,000 square feet. It explores the history of Dakota Territory and South Dakota. The Museum's main exhibit is called The South Dakota Experience. It has three galleries that show the state's history. This includes everything from its first people to today.

The Ways of the People

The Oyate Tawicoḣ’aŋ: The Ways of the People gallery explores the history and culture of the Oceti Ṡakowiŋ. These are also known as the Sioux. This gallery shares the values and beliefs of the Dakota, Nakota, and Lakota people.

Pioneers and Settlers

The Proving Up gallery shares the stories of explorers, trappers, and settlers. It also tells about miners and immigrants who came to this faraway land. This gallery shows how pioneers and leaders helped build a growing state.

South Dakota in the 20th Century

The Changing Times - South Dakota in the 20th Century gallery looks at the changes and challenges people faced in the 1900s. It follows South Dakota's history from the growth of railroads and cars. It also covers tough times like droughts and the Great Depression. This gallery highlights new things like electricity and telephones. It also shows how highways made neighbors feel closer.

Special Exhibitions

The Museum also has Changing exhibitions in its Hogen Gallery and Observation Gallery. The Mavis T. and Florence Brown Hogen Gallery shows different themes in South Dakota history and culture. The Observation Gallery is upstairs. It offers a great view of the State Capitol Building and the Missouri River bluffs.

The Museum is open to everyone seven days a week. To find out about hours and how much it costs to visit, check the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center online: South Dakota State Historical Society.

South Dakota State Archives

The South Dakota State Archives holds over 12,000 cubic feet of records. These records tell the story of South Dakota's history. Since 2012, the Archives has been putting many of these records online. This is called the South Dakota Digital Archives. It has photos, maps, old papers, and much more. For more information about the South Dakota State Archives, including online help for family history researchers, teachers, and students, visit: South Dakota State Historical Society.

The South Dakota State Archives is open for research Monday through Friday. It's also open on the first Saturday of each month. For details on hours and any fees, visit the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center online: South Dakota State Historical Society.