About the South Dakota State Historical Society
The South Dakota State Historical Society is the official state historical organization, headquartered at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. It preserves and shares the documents, artifacts, and archaeological record that tell South Dakota's human story, from Native American heritage and pioneer settlement to the Black Hills gold rush and Great Plains agriculture.
The Society carries out its mission through several distinct programs that together cover the full breadth of the state's past and the work of preserving it.
Programs and Collections
The Society's work is organized across several specialized divisions:
- The State Archives, which collects, preserves, and makes available records documenting South Dakota's history.
- The Archaeological Research Center, which explores, preserves, and exhibits the archaeological record of the state.
- The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), which manages the National Register of Historic Places program for South Dakota.
- The South Dakota Historical Society Press, established in 1997, which publishes books reflecting the history of the state and region.
- A Speakers Bureau offering informational programs to groups across the state.
Planning Your Visit
The Cultural Heritage Center is the Society's flagship museum in Pierre, and the organization maintains an online calendar of educational, archaeological, preservation, and history-related programs throughout the year. Please note that museum exhibit availability can change during building projects, so confirm current status before visiting. For hours, membership, research services, and event details, visit the official website at history.sd.gov.
Explore South Dakota's Historical Landscape
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