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.

December 2010

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: December 4, 2010; 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: 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: December 5, 2010; 1- 4:30 p.m. CT
Admission:  Free
Sponsor: South Dakota State Historical Society
Contact: 605-773-3458

Event: Hidden Heritage: The Story of Paul LaRoche by Barbara Marshak - History & Heritage Book Club
Description: A spiritual legacy of one man's ordinary Minnesota lifestyle, suddenly fused with a rich, Lakota heritage that enabled him to cross boundaries far beyond his own expectations. Paul LaRoche will join the group by telephone. Paul is founder of Brulé, a contemporary American Indian musical group.
Location:  Cultural Heritage Center, 900 Governors Dr., Pierre
Date/Time: December 7, 2010; 5:15 p.m. CT
Admission: Free
Sponsor: South Dakota State Historical Society & the South Dakota Heritage Fund
Contact: Dorinda Daniel (605) 773-6006, dorinda.daniel@state.sd.us
Additional Comments: 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: Tai Chi Chuan - Preservation Wednesday
Description: Nick Willan will give a presentation entitled "Tai Chi Chuan: History, Explanation, Demonstration, & Movement". The public is encouraged to attend.
Location: Vermillion Public Library, 18 Church St., Vermillion
Date/Time: December 15, 2010; 7 p.m. CT
Admission: Free
Sponsor: Clay County Historic Preservation Commission
Contact: Jim Wilson (e-mail or web), 605-624-4579
Additional Comments: This informative and entertaining series of presentations of popular and obscure facets of local history and historic preservation in general is held every 3rd Wednesday of the month, September through May.

Event: SD Heritage Fund 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 Heritage Fund
Location:  Perkins Restaurant & Bakery, 217 E. Hustan Ave., Fort Pierre
Date/Time: December 16 , 2010; 4-8 p.m. CT
Admission: Free
Sponsor: South Dakota Heritage Fund & Perkins
Contact: Heritage Fund 605-773-3458

Event: Christmas Banquet/History of Sports Facilities of Sioux Falls - Minnehaha County Historical Society monthly meeting
Description: David Kemp, historian, researcher, archivist, educator, program coordinator and editor, will present the program. Social hour starts at 6 p.m. followed by dinner and the program at 6:30.
Location: Old Courthouse Museum, 200 W. 6th St., Sioux Falls
Date/Time: December 16, 2010; 6 p.m. CT - RSVP required, see below
Admission: Dinner - $12.75
    For reservations, contact Jim Carlson 605-339-1771 or pegandjim@sio.midco.net by December 14.
Sponsor: Minnehaha County Historical Society
Contact: Jim Carlson, 605-366-8403

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