SHRAB
The State Historical Records Advisory Board (SHRAB) is part of a nationwide effort to connect federal, state, and local repositories in order to preserve the nation’s documentary heritage. The National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), part of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), encourages each state and territory to have a historical records advisory board to lead and coordinate records preservation activities in its area.
SHRAB Board
The South Dakota SHRAB was created in 1997 under statutory authority of the Board of Trustees of the South Dakota State Historical Society. The State Archivist serves as a permanent member and chairman of the SHRAB. The board must include at least six other members, half of which must be professional archivists. The board currently consists of the following members:
Chelle Somsen, State Archivist, Chair
Dana Hoffer, State Records Manager
Robert Russell, Library Director, Northern State University
Mike Runge, Archivist, City of Deadwood
Tamara St. John, Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribal Archivist
David Patterson, South Dakota State Historical Society Board of Trustees Member
Jennifer Winter, South Dakota State Historical Society Board of Trustees Member
Marshall Damgaard, South Dakota State Historical Society Board of Trustees Member
SHRAB Activities
In 2023, the SHRAB received a grant from the NHPRC of $3,677 to support a multi-stage strategic planning process.
Archives Month
Press Releases
Meetings
SHRAB Publications
Guide to SD Historical Repositories
Listing by Cities
Repository Index
In 2000-2001 the South Dakota SHRAB received a $20,462 grant from NHPRC to hold a series of public meetings, to prepare a strategic plan for historical records in South Dakota, and to create a statewide guide to repositories and records in the state.
The South Dakota Heritage Fund, a not-for-profit corporation, administered the grant funds, and staff support was provided by the State Archives program of the South Dakota State Historical Society and South Dakota State University.
The South Dakota SHRAB’s mission is to advocate for the preservation of historical records, educate the public and records-caretakers about the importance of the historical record, and lead the historical community in preserving, promoting, and providing access to the state’s documentary heritage. To accomplish this mission the SDSHRAB investigates and reports on the state of historical records in South Dakota; develops statewide plans for records preservation activities; determines priorities for historical records projects; coordinates cooperation between repositories; and reviews grant proposals submitted to the NHPRC by South Dakota institutions.