Museum Digital Outreach
Take and Make
January: Clothespin Snowman
Take and Make 2020
Pince Cone Christmas Tree- Instructions
Beads and Bells Ornament- Instructions
Christmas Wheat Ornament- Instructions
Eight Pointed Wreath- Instructions
Beady Pheasant- Instructions
Education
Looking for some interesting and fun history-focused activities? While the museum's education kits are not being sent out physically we do have the kit worksheets and activities available online as much as possible.
Buffalo & the Plains Indians worksheets & activity
Cowboys & Ranch Life worksheets & activity
South Dakota Transportation worksheet & activity​
South Dakota Environments worksheets & activity
Load an Immigrant Car worksheet & activity
Exhibits
Explore our traveling exhibits and learn all about South Dakota's exciting history.
At Home & Abroad: South Dakota in World War II
The exhibition documents the state's experiences overseas and on the home front during WWII with photographs and artifacts from the State Archives and the museum collection.
A Capital Fight: Choosing South Dakota's Capital City
Becoming South Dakota's capital city brought money, people and prestige to the winning town. Pierre won all three capital elections.
As settlers moved in to Dakota, the military protected them, surveyed and mapped the terrain, and built roads. Too much territory and too few men made soldiering in Dakota a tough go.
Drawn to the Land: Homesteading Dakota
From 1860 to 1920, thousands of homesteaders poured into the Dakota Territory from across the country and overseas. Many stayed, making a home for themselves and their descendants. Others came for only a short while before selling out and moving on.
Life Underground: Hard Rock Mining in the Black Hills
The exhibition details the importance of hard rock mining to the Black Hills and South Dakota, while examining the industry's environmental legacy.
Living Traditions: Dakota, Nakota, Lakota Art
The Sioux Nation is made up of seven groups collectively called Oceti Sakowin, or "Seven Council Fires." Explore the art of the Dakota, Nakota, and Lakota and features examples from the museum collection.
- Ledger Drawing Activity
- Crossword Activity
- Crossword Activity- Answer Key
- Word Find
- Word Find- Answer Key
For Dakota, political, social and economic growth depended on bringing in people. Communities, railroads and the government all advertised aggressively and reality seldom got in the way of a good promotional line.
Properties of History: Exploring South Dakota's Historic Places
Explore a small portion of the many historic properties in the state while learning about the importance of preserving our history by holding onto these places.
Explore telephone history in the state. Both small independent companies and "Ma Bell" played an important role in keeping the phones ringing.
Smithsonian Affiliate
Thanks to our friends at the Smithsonian Affiliation they have partnered with The Great Courses to bring The Great Tours of Washington DC. This is a series of 24 television-like programs about the nation’s capital. It features lectures, visits to monuments, memorials, iconic sites, museums and other DC highlights. There are interviews with Colin Powell, Jose Andres, Yo-Yo Ma, David Rubenstein, Lonnie Bunch, scientist Brandie Smith who oversees animal care at the National Zoo, and many others. Usually Great Courses charges a fee, but in partnering with the Smithsonian, they have agreed to make it free to all.
Click the link here: The Great Courses
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