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.

November 2010

Event: "The People's House: Celebrating the Century" Exhibit
Description: This exhibit on the capitol’s 100th anniversary features include a wall-size mural of the capitol’s exterior telling about the building’s architectural elements. The original vault door from the Secretary of State’s Office holds a monitor running capitol construction photos. Artifacts include an original legislator’s desk and the 44-star flag that flew over the first capitol in 1889. Interactive stations let visitors try their hand at constructing a capitol with arches, columns and pediments, and laying a tile pattern with a special blue tile. People can see how well they can identify the capitols of South Dakota’s neighboring states with a matching game.
Location:  Cultural Heritage Center, Hogen Gallery, 900 Governors Dr., Pierre
Date/Time: through 2010, 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 1st Sunday of every month)
Sponsor: South Dakota State Historical Society
Contact: 605-773-3458

Event: Property Tax Moratorim deadline - SD State Historic Preservation Office
Description: The State Property Tax Moratorium is available for buildings listed on the National or State Register of Historic Places and rehabilitated in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. The moratorium places an eight-year freeze on the property tax assessment; during the eight-year period, the property tax assessment may not be increased due to the certified rehabilitation work undertaken on the building. The 2010 application will cover work done between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010.
Application: Click here for forms.
Date: November 1, 2010
Contact: Paul Porter (e-mail), 605-773-6005

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: November 6, 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: November 7, 2010; 1- 4:30 p.m. CT
Admission:  Free
Sponsor: South Dakota State Historical Society
Contact: 605-773-3458

Event: Sitting Bull, Prisoner of War by Dennis C. Pope - History & Heritage Book Club
Description: This newly-published book from the South Dakota State Historical Society Press tells of the period from 1881 to 1883 when Sitting Bull was imprisoned at Fort Randall. During that year and a half, Sitting Bull conducted tribal business, met with dignitaries and visitors, and interacted with those who imprisoned him. This is a dramatic account of that time and those relationships, taking the reader inside Sitting Bull's camp to see the day-to-day reality of captive life for this powerful man and his people. Pope paints an insider's view of the events of these months, using extensive research, primary accounts from eye-witnesses, and the observations and writings of a reporter from the Saint Paul and Minneapolis Pioneer Press. The book is available at both Heritage Stores. Book club members who buy the book at either store receive a 10% discount, with South Dakota State Historical Society members receiving an additional 5% discount.
Location:  Cultural Heritage Center, 900 Governors Dr., Pierre
Date/Time: November 9, 2010; 7 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: The Battle of Slim Buttes - Preservation Thursday
Description: Ivan Hovland will discuss the circumstances that led up to the Battle of Slim Buttes and the aftermath of the conflict. On September 9-10, 1876, the Battle of Slim Buttes was fought between the United States Army and the Lakota. The battle marked the only victory for the army in 1876.
Location: Deadwood City Hall, 102 Sherman St., Deadwood
Date/Time: November 11, 2010; Noon MT
Admission: Donations welcomed
Sponsor: Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission; Adam-Mastrovich Family Foundation, Mary Adams Balmat; Rapid City Journal; Black Hills Pioneer; Celebrity Hotel; Chubby Chipmunk Hand-Dipped Chocolates; The Historic Bullock Hotel; Saloon No. 10; TDG Communications
Contact: Adams Museum (e-mail or web), 605-578-1928

Event: Historic Woodworking Tools - Preservation Wednesday
Description: Will Schweinle will give a presentation entitled "Historic Woodworking Tools: An Appreciation". The public is encouraged to attend.
Location: Vermillion Public Library, 18 Church St., Vermillion
Date/Time: November 17, 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: The Disappearing Hero - Minnehaha County Historical Society monthly meeting
Description: Jeff Gould will present a PowerPoint lectue on George Washington, discussing the talents of the unique personality of the military man, gentleman farmer, and founder of our nation. This free program is open to the public. Bring a friend.
Location: Old Courthouse Museum, 200 W. 6th St., Sioux Falls
Date/Time: November 18, 2010; 7 p.m. CT
Admission: Free
Sponsor: Minnehaha County Historical Society
Contact: Jim Carlson, 605-366-8403

Event: Holiday Open House at the Cultural Heritage Center
Description: The annual Holiday Open House of the South Dakota State Historical Society will be held at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. The afternoon will feature free admission to the museum, holiday treats, entertainment, living-history demonstrations, unique gift ideas in the Heritage Store, and free pictures for the kids with Santa Claus!
Location:  Cultural Heritage Center, 900 Governors Dr., Pierre
Date/Time: November 26, 2010; Noon - 4:30 p.m. CT
Admission: Free
Sponsor: South Dakota State Historical Society & the South Dakota Heritage Fund
Contact: 605-773-3458

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