historic preservation
Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month 2023
"History Makers"
Celebrated each May, South Dakota Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month was created to acquaint the public with the disciplines of archaeology and historic preservation and to strengthen the enduring bond between the past and the present! The theme for this year's month is "History Makers". This theme was chosen to coincide with the South Dakota State Historical Society's Annual History Conference which took place at the end of April 2023. This conference covered some of South Dakota's most interesting and influential 'history makers' including; Casey Tibbs, Mattie Newcombe, Oscar Micheaux, Women Suffragists, Deadwood's Chinatown, Oscar Howe, and Ben Reifel. Videos of these presentations will be avaiable to SDSHS members coming soon!
Keep an eye out on the South Dakota State Historic Preservation Office's Facebook page as we celebrate Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month and our state's 'history makers'!
Check out the Executive Proclamation from Governor Kristi Noem officially naming May 2023 Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month: "History Makers"!
Archaeology Camp 2023
Please click here to go to our Archaeology Camp page!
Student Essay Contest 2023: "This Place Matters"
Each year as a part of Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month, the South Dakota State Historic Preservation Office hosts a fourth grade student essay contest! Students from around the state are asked to submit an essay about a place in South Dakota at least 50 years old and write about why it matters, what it means to them, and why it should be preserved. We had a great turn out for entries this year, receiving 209 essays! This was almost 100 more than last year! Essays were received from 26 different schools from all around South Dakota and two were received from homeschooled students.
In late April we chose our top three winners! These winners were chosen for their excellent writing, theme, and originality. Esther Kuester (Creekside Elementary, Spearfish, SD) won 1st Place for her essay titled "The Power of the Friendship Tower", Hatlynn Harvey (Interior Elementary, Interior, SD) won 2nd Place for her essay titled "This School Matters", and Jace Smith (Doland Elementary, Doland, SD) won 3rd Place for his essay titled "Preserving the Smith Family Farm for the Second Century". Congratulations to these three winners and thank you to every student who submitted an essay!
Click here to read Esther's "The Power of the Friendship Tower"
Click here to read Hatlynn's "This School Matters"
Click here to read Jace's "Preserving the Smith Family Farm for the Second Century"
Keep an eye out here come early Spring 2024 for information on the 2024 4th Grade Student Essay Contest!