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.

April 2013

Event: School Consolidation in the Great Plains: Efficiencies, Change, and Community Identity - 2013 Symposium at the University of Nebraska
Description: The theme of school consolidation serves as a launching point for a variety of connected issues associated with rural school consolidation. Topics will include education
law and policy that address rural areas or use urban experiences to inform
these issues on rural landscapes. Because rural schools are an important part
of rural well-being, we will also focus on the overall well-being of citizens on the Great Plains, including rural health care, population studies, or other research geared at improving the quality of rural life.
Location: University of Nebraska at Kearney and the Younes Conference Center in Kearney
Date/Time: April 5-6, 2013
Registration: to be announced
Sponsor: Center for Great Plains Studies
Contact: Center for Great Plains Studies at 402-472-3082, e-mail: cgps@unl.edu

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: April 6, 2013; 9 a.m to 4:30 p.m. CT
Admission:  Free
Sponsor: South Dakota State Historical Society
Contact: 605-773-3804, e:mail archref@state.sd.us, web: history.sd.gov/Archives

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: April 7, 2013; 1-4:30 p.m. CT
Admission:  Free
Sponsor: South Dakota State Historical Society
Contact: 605-773-3458, web: history.sd.gov/Museum

Event: Lewis & Clark Re-enactor Arch Ellwein - History & Heritage Book Club
Description: The featured books this month are The Men of the Lewis & Clark Expedition by Charles G. Clarke and The Lewis and Clark Journals edited by Gary E. Moulton. Re-enactor Arch Ellwein of Sidney, Montana will portray Sgt. John Ordway, the only man to have written a journal entry every day of the expedition’s 1804-1806 journey from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean and back. Those attending will meet Ordway in 1813, seven years after his epic journey with the captains, and gain fascinating insight into the expedition and its aftermath. This program is made possible by the South Dakota Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The program is co-sponsored by Encounters on the Prairie – Central South Dakota Chapter of the National Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation.
Location:  Cultural Heritage Center, 900 Governors Dr., Pierre
Date/Time: April 8, 2013; 7 p.m. CT
Admission: Free
Sponsor: South Dakota State Historical Society & South Dakota Historical Society Foundation
Contact: Dorinda Daniel 605-773-6006, e-mail: 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: A Brief History of the Sitting Bull Silver Mine, Galena, SD - Preservation Thursday
Description: Join Jeff Jacobsen as he discusses the history of Sitting Bull Silver Mine. The Sitting Bull Mine has one of the longest and richest histories of any of the original Black Hills mining claims from the 1870s. From its prolific silver production in the early 1880s, through its precedent-setting lawsuit, and up to the Homestake Mining Company's exploration, this mine is an important part of Black Hills mining lore. The public is encouraged to attend.
Location:  Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center, 150 Sherman St. Deadwood
Date/Time: April 11, 2013; Noon MT
Admission: By donation
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, 605-722-4800, e-mail: Rose@deadwoodhistory.com, web: www.deadwoodhistory.org

Event: Creative Economy - 2013 National Main Streets Conference
Description: The 2013 National Main Streets Conference will explore the Creative Economy, seeking out ways in which local communities and regions can benefit from leveraging the ideas, the people, and the unique assets that set them apart. The collision of heritage tourism, the arts, and entrepreneurism on Main Street can spark a “Big Bang” – one of a thriving cultural economy. We can build an economy on the foods, music, people, stories, and traditions that make a place special. The fusion of innovative minds, dedicated hearts, and creative souls creates an atmosphere where authenticity is king and distinct assets are found in our backyards. This “Creative Economy” engages entrepreneurs, culinary artists, performing and visual artists, crafters and artisans, nonprofit organizations, museums and historic sites, filmmakers and technology startups to create new jobs, stimulate the economy, kindle innovation and new partnerships, attract talent and tourists, and contribute to livability. The 2013 Main Streets Conference will debut a new Sunday-Tuesday conference schedule for the Main Streets Conference. Sunday will now feature more educational content and we will end the conference with the Main Street Bash on Tuesday night.
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Date/Time: April 14-16, 2013
Registration: Click here for registration.
Sponsor: National Trust for Historic Preservation Main Street Center
Contact: 202.588.6219, msconference@nthp.org, click here for conference website

Event: Grand Opening of Furniture: The Fancy & the Functional Exhibit
Description: The exhibit examines furniture found in the home, and what one can learn from a careful study furniture today and in the past.   Interpretive signage, graphics, and advertisements demonstrate an evolution how our homes have changed over time and the impact that change made on the design, function and construction of furniture.  From a famous wooden desk to a metal dinette set, the artifacts on display come from the permanent collection of the Museum.  Hands-on activities and videos help bring the story to life. 
Location:  Cultural Heritage Center, Hogen Gallery, 900 Governors Dr., Pierre
Date/Time: April 20, 2013; 1-4 p.m.CT
Admission:  FREE
Sponsor: South Dakota State Historical Society
Contact: 605-773-3458, web: history.sd.gov/Museum

Event: The Spanish Northern Plains - 45th Annual Dakota Conference
Description: This national conference on the Northern Plains annually examines issues of contemporary significance in their historical and cultural contexts. Approximately 80 presenters from as many as 15 states gather to present papers and participate in panels.
Location: The Center for Western Studies, Augustana College, 2001 S. Summit Ave., Sioux Falls
Date/Time: April 26-27, 2013
Registration: Click here for registration form.
Sponsor: The Center for Western Studies (CWS)
Contact: CWS at 605-274-4007, e-mail: CWS@augie.edu, web: www.augie.edu/cws/dakotaconference.html

Event: Roots & Branches: Growing Your Family Tree
Description: Family history workshop. Tentative topics include: What Premium Websites are Free at Your Nearest Family History Center?; Genealogy on the IPAD; Three Major Genealogy Software Comparisons (Legacy, RootsMagic, Ancestral Quest); Online Genealogy; Family Tree/FamilySearch Intro; Writing Your Family History; Pioneer Cemetery Records; Who is Granny Weston?; Q&A, Beginner Sessions; displays & demos.
Location: Family History Center, 200 22nd Ave., Brookings (just south of the hospital)
Date/Time: April 27, 2013; 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. CT
Admission: Free, but lunch paid in advance - about $6.50; syllabuses - $2-$3
Sponsor: Brookings Family History Center & Brookings Area Genealogy Society
Contact: Pat Walker , 605-534-3103, e-mail: brookingsworkshop@gmail.com

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