The South Dakota State Historical Society is governed by a twelve-member board of trustees. Six members are appointed by the Governor of the State of South Dakota, and six members are elected by the Society membership. The board also serves as the state review board for historic preservation purposes and includes an archaeologist, an architect, an architectural historian, an archivist, and a historian.

John D. Fowler, Vice-President, Elk Point
Michelle Christian, Brookings
Tom Hurlbert, President, Sioux Falls
Lura Roti, Sioux Falls
Aaron Mayer, Vermillion
William (Bill) H Pearson, Deadwood
Francis Whitebird, Pierre
Brian Sandvig, Milbank
David Grettler, Aberdeen
Robert Kolbe, Sioux Falls
John Lauck, Sioux Falls

Katherine Molnar, Windsor, CO

Dr. Ben Jones (Director), Ex-Officio

Meeting Schedule

Meeting information about the Board of Trustees can now be found at https://boardsandcommissions.sd.gov/Meetings.aspx?BoardID=50

Liz Almlie
Historic Preservation
(605)773-6056

Alexander Anton
Archaeology
(605)209-1776

Matt Busch
Archaeology
(605)209-0368

Sara Casper
State Archives
(605)773-3780

Lizzy Celentano
Archaeology
(605)209-2581

Corey Christianson
Museum
(605)773-8241

Camilla Crosby
Archaeology
(605)381-2928

Anthony DeLuca
Archaeology
(605)381-8738

Kevin DeVries
State Archives
(605)773-3804

Maddie Ferrell
Historic Preservation
(605)773-2906

Catherine Forsch
SD Historical Society Foundation
(605)773-6003

David Grabitske
Museum
(605)773-3798

Lynn Griffin
Archaeology
(605)394-6696

Nicole Hosette
State Archives
(605)773-4369

Dr. Benjamin F. Jones
Director
(605)773-3458

Joe Jones, Sr.
Archaeology
(605)209-61752

Sarah Kirchman
State Archives
(605)773-2089

Jozef Lamers
Historic Preservation
(605)773-6004

Katie Lamie
Archaeology
(605)394-1804

Kevin Larsen
Administration
(605)773-6000

Dustin Lloyd
Archaeology
(605)391-2928

Fidel Martinez-Greer
Archaeology
(605)209-1478

Steve Mayer
State Archives
(605)773-3277

Dedra McDonald Birzer
Research and Publishing
(605)773-4371

Chris Nelson
Historic Preservation
(605)773-3103

Megan Ostrenga-Fabricius
Archaeology
(605)394-1939

Holly Phillips
Archaeology
(605)394-6123

Michelle Prichard
Archaeology
(605)394-1936

Cherri Reed
State Archives
(605)773-2089

Matthew Reitzel
State Archives
(605)773-3615

Ronette Rumpca
Museum
(605)773-6011

Katy Schmidt
Museum
(605)773-6013

Kimberly Smith
State Archives
(605)773-4233

Chelle Somsen
State Archives
(605)773-5521

Justin Stauder
State Archives
(605) 773-3616

Duncan Trau
Historic Preservation
(605)773-6005

Cassie Vogt
State Archeologist
(605)209-1443

Katie Wasley
Historic Preservation
(605)773-2907

A masterpiece of Lakota sculpture, the Sioux Horse Effigy dance stick, ca. 1870, was probably carved to honor a wounded horse and is considered one of the greatest equine sculptures in the world. This singular piece of the museum's collection is incorporated into the Society's logo.

Carved out of wood, this 3-foot-long sculpture is enhanced by its real horsehair mane and tail. Leather reins and bridle exhibit care with which this sculpture was made. The horse is also riddled with holes, bullet wounds. Red paint, blood, seems to seep from these wounds, suggesting that it died in battle. Blood also runs from the horse's mouth in the form of red horsehair. Its ears are backward slanting, showing fear and pain. The horse's elongated body and forward leaping motion suggest a leap from life to death.

In 2014-15, the Horse Effigy traveled to museums in Paris, New York City and Kansas City with the exhibit entitled The Plains Indians: Artists of Earth and Sky.