The South Dakota Experience Galleries
Oyate Tawicoh’an [O-ya-ta Ta-wi-cho-han]
The Ways of the People
In the language of the Oceti Sakowin, the nation some call the Sioux, Oyate Tawicoh'an means The Ways of the People. Learn about the history, values and beliefs of the Dakota, Nakota, and Lakota.

View a slideshow of highlights from Oyate Tawicoh'an

Proving Up
Proving Up explores the state’s history from the placing of the Verendrye Plate in 1743 to the final fight for the state capital in 1904. Share the adventures of explorers, trappers, settlers, miners, and statesmen that established South Dakota.

View a slideshow of highlights from Proving Up

Changing Times - South Dakota in the 20th Century
Examine the changes and challenges South Dakotans experienced during the 20th century. The state flourished when rail lines and automobiles rolled in and struggled when the Depression hit. Throughout the 1900’s some settlers left, but most dug, rooted in this place, and grew to love it.

View a slideshow of highlights from Changing Times

Join us for an online tour through our Museum at the Cultural Heritage Center. Weekly posts will guide you through (and hopefully entice you to visit) all the wonderful exhibits the Museum has to offer. Follow our “Inside the Museum Tour."

Hogen Gallery
The Mavis T. and Florence Brown Hogen Gallery is used for changing exhibitions.

NEW EXHIBIT
The new exhibit Furniture: The Fancy & The Functional is now open in the Mavis T. and Florence Brown Hogen Gallery.

Explore the the newest gallery exhibit on Facebook and Flickr.

Observation Gallery
Upstairs from the main gallery our Observation Gallery features a fantastic view of the State Capitol Building and the Missouri River bluffs. The gallery also features the Governor's Awards for History, the South Dakota Arts Council Awards, and the exhibit No Life Without It: South Dakota Water.

View a slideshow of highlights from our Observation Gallery

Governor’s Award winners in History and Art

Featured Exhibit
No Life Without It: South Dakota Water
See how South Dakotans have used this vital state resource in the past and how water in the state is used today. This exhibit focuses on South Dakota’s water resources – from ground water, rivers, and lakes to municipal water towers. The various uses for the Missouri River from early travel and trade to modern hydro-electric power and recreation are explored. Angostura Dam and its popular warm-water reservoir are also discussed.

Click the exhibit title to view a pdf of this exhibition.

Temporary Displays
A series of changing displays on themes in South Dakota history and culture on exhibit in our galleries and display cases.

Photograph Display - Observation Gallery
A collection photographs L. Frank Baum in Dakota are now on display.

100th Anniversary of South Dakota Basketball
"March Madness: South Dakota Style" discusses the history of the state tournaments, including the class system, the advent of the girls tourneys, as well as the "Spirit of Six" and "Spirit of Su" awards. This small exhibit includes jerseys, programs, pennants, photographs, and more.