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:
Apply for the Historic Preservation Internship!
SHPO staff welcomes applications for the Summer 2026 Historic Preservation Internship with our office. This position will involve a wide range of historic preservation experiences. The intern will update and research survey material, plan and/or conduct historic site survey(s), assist in preparing nomination for a historic property to the National Register of Historic Places, assist the office with holding a youth archaeology camp, and handle other duties as assigned.
All students are encouraged to apply, but preference may be given to applicants with a standing of junior/senior, South Dakota residents, and students of South Dakota institutions. Click the above link to learn more about the position and access the application. The application deadline is January 26th, 2026.
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.