WELCOME TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION
The South Dakota State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) works to advocate for the preservation of historic properties and archaeological sites across South Dakota through providing access to funding opportunities, education, consultation, research, and promotion of heritage tourism. SHPO also manages the National Register of Historic Places program in South Dakota and reviews federal, state, and local government activities to understand their affects on cultural and historic resources. Below you will find SHPO's most recent news and deadlines, as well as a more comprehensive list on what the office works on. For any questions, comments, or concerns, please click the contact page and reach out!
SHPO NEWS AND DEADLINES:
5th Grade Student Essay Contest 2026: "This Place Matters"
The 2026 5th Grade Student Essay Contest is open for entries! This annual contest, hosted by the State Historic Preservation Office, is a component of Archaeology and Historic Presrvation Month which is celebrated each May. The competition proposes to enable students to achieve a better appreciation of our state's history and historic resources, the stories they tell, and why they should be preserved for future generations. The theme is "This Place Matters", students are asked to write an essay about any South Dakota location that is at least 50 years old, why it is a favorite place for them, and why it should be preserved. The contest is open to any 5th grade student in South Dakota, whether in public school, private school, or homeschool.
Each entry will be judged anonymously by volunteers based on the essay's quality of writing, content and theme, and originality of thought. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. The 1st place winner will receive a $100 cash prize, the 2nd place winner will receive a $75 cash prize, and the 3rd place winner will receive a $50 cash prize. Each winner will also receive a signed plaque and a one-year family membership to the South Dakota State Historical Society. Depending on scheduling, our office will coordinate a presentation for the winners.
For more information on the essay contest and how to enter, please visit our Archaeology & Historic Preservation Month page.
WHAT DOES SHPO DO?
The South Dakota State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) manages a wide range of Historic Preservation matters throughout the state of South Dakota. Some of the tasks our office performs include:
- - Surveying and maintaining inventories of historic properties throughout the state. Take a look at our CRGRID for surveyed architectural properties in the state.
- - Nominating eligible properties to the State and National Register of Historic Places.
- - Providing public information, education, training, and technical assistance relating to historic preservation. Our 'Documents and Forms' page has a wide variety of materials regarding the different type of properties in South Dakota.
- - Working with local governments across the state in creating local historic preservation programs and Certified Local Governments.
- - Administering grant and tax incentive funding programs to assist in the stabilization, rehabilitation, and restoration of historic properties. These programs include the Deadwood Fund Grant, the State Property Tax Moratorium, and the Federal Tax Incentive.
- - Administering a state historical marker program. A current list of historical markers can be found here.
- - Working with federal and state agencies and local governments in carrying out their historic preservation responsibilities, especially on projects that might affect historic properties, under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, and SDCL 1-19A-11.1.
- - Hosting an archaeology camp with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that teaches students about the field of archaeology, why archaeological digs are done, and what we can learn from the artifacts found.
- - Administering a Student Essay Contest open to all 4th grade students in South Dakota. The topic for the essay contest is 'This Place Matters' where students write about a place in South Dakota that's at least 50 years old and explain to us why that place matters to them.