South Dakota State Historical Society

05/15/2026

In the latest episode of History 605, Historian Paul Finkelman joins us to discuss his essay on the legal proceedings that led up to the nation's largest mass ex*****on in December of 1862. Paul makes the case that Lincoln, while responsible for the ex*****ons, was also responsible for "the largest mass commutation and pardon," in the nation's history. I hope you enjoy this discussion of how and why Lincoln reversed the Army and Minnesota officials intent to hang over three hundred Dakota due to the lacking evidence and due process. The legal history of this is felt across time as it had an impact on how the military would conduct its judicial processes since.

Check out the episode here:

Historian Paul Finkelman joins the History 605 Podcast to discuss his essay on the legal proceedings that led up to the nation's largest mass ex*****on in December of 1862.

05/14/2026

When one has a historic building in front of them, deciding how to preserve it or adapt it for a new use can be a complex process of assessment, gathering expertise, and creative problem-solving. The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation are a go-to benchmark to aid in decision-making and find solutions that maintain the historic qualities that make such places special.

The National Park Service has new training webinars available about the Standards -- both for general approaches and videos that focus on commonly rehabilitated property types: schools, theaters and places of worship, Post-WWII office buildings, and Main Street commercial buildings.

Find the webinars at: https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1739/training-the-standards.htm

Find the Standards themselves at: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/taxincentives/secretarys-standards-rehabilitation.htm
And more detailed Standards guidance documents sorted "By Topic": https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1739/preservation-by-topic.htm

Image: Screenshot of the webinar website.

05/13/2026

Earlier this week staff from the South Dakota State Archives drove to Elk Point, South Dakota to pick up records being transferred to the State Archives collections from the Union County courthouse. These records will become part of our permanent collections, and once they have been processed will be available to researchers by request.

05/12/2026

https://conta.cc/4eHYzDn

Email from South Dakota Historical Society Did you sign up for History Talks at 7PM CT HISTORY TALKS TONIGHT South Dakota's Liberty Bell Don't miss History Talks! Tonight, May 12 at 7 PM CT | 6 PM

05/12/2026

Join us tonight at 7 pm CT for our next virtual History Talk!

You can still register for this free event at https://www.sdhsf.org/events/.

Dr. Kristin Dutcher Mann, professor of history at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, will talk about the replica Liberty Bells located around the United States, including the Liberty Bell outside the Soldiers & Sailors World War Memorial Building in Pierre. She will discuss her research on the 1950 Independence Bond Drive, the campaign that sent these replica Liberty Bells to each state, among other locations. According to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock website, Mann’s work helps “to illuminate how these bells, forged from the spirit of postwar optimism, continue to shape America’s sense of identity and symbolism today.”

05/11/2026

We've built American history in the places around us—in each brick, shingle, rafter, window sill, and... step.

These photographs are cast metal entrance steps from the Stockgrowers Bank Building in Fort Pierre and the Smith Block in downtown Dell Rapids, both made by and imprinted with the name Pankow Bros. Foundry and Machine Works of Sioux Falls. Of German descent and having come to Sioux Falls from Wisconsin, the five Pankow brothers also manufactured manhole covers, coal chutes, cisterns, and even storefront components.

Does a South Dakota historic building near you bear the name of the person or company that is part of its story? Share photos in the comments!

See the layout of the Pankow foundry on the 1916 Sanborn Insurance Co. map: https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4184sm.g082631916/?sp=6&r=0.702,0.173,0.36,0.229,0

05/10/2026

"The suggestion of Mother's Day was a happy one and no doubt will become a permanent institution in American life." So said the Citizen-Republican newspaper of Scotland, SD on May 15, 1913.

See the full newspaper issue online: https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn99062010/1913-05-15/ed-1/

05/08/2026

Our deepest condolences go out to the family of Ione Quigley, her colleagues, friends, and the community at Sinte Gleska University. Ms. Quigley’s life was one of extraordinary service, scholarship, leadership, and cultural stewardship. Her dedication to preserving and teaching the Lakota language and culture leaves a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come. Through her work as an educator, cultural resource advocate, mentor, and Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, she strengthened not only the academic community at Sinte Gleska University, but also the broader efforts to protect and honor the history, sacred sites, traditions, and identity of the Oceti Sakowin.

We especially recognize her service as Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, where she played a vital role in safeguarding the cultural and historic resources of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. Her work documenting and protecting historic and prehistoric sites, advocating for cultural preservation, and ensuring that Lakota voices and traditional knowledge remained central in preservation efforts reflected a profound commitment to her people and future generations. Her leadership embodied the spirit and purpose of historic preservation work throughout South Dakota.
Those fortunate enough to know Ms. Quigley speak not only of her accomplishments, but also of her kindness, wisdom, patience, humility, and generosity of spirit. She clearly touched countless lives as a teacher, colleague, mentor, relative, and friend. Her influence will continue through the students she taught, the communities she served, and the cultural heritage she worked tirelessly to preserve.

Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, students, colleagues, and all who mourn her passing. We join you in honoring a remarkable woman whose life’s work enriched South Dakota and whose legacy will endure in the hearts and minds of all she inspired.

✨ In Loving Memory of Ione Quigley, a former Lakota Studies professor at Sinte Gleska University. 🦅

05/08/2026

Congratulations! to Ausia Van Holstyn of Miller, Helen Petree of Sioux Falls, and Tirzah Johnson of Burke for winning our 2026 5th Grade Student Essay Contest on the theme “This Place Matters.”

Students were asked to write an essay about any South Dakota location that is at least 50 years old, why it is a favorite place for them, and why it should be preserved. Our Historic Preservation director, Garry Guan, and staff were recently able to award the prizes in-person for the two winners who opted to do that. You can read the winning essays linked at: https://history.sd.gov/preservation/archhpmonth.aspx

05/07/2026

On May 7, 1862—164 years ago today—Dakota Territory Governor William A. Jayne signed legislation creating the organization that is now called the South Dakota State Historical Society.

Although the Society had met in April 1862, the legislation made the organization official. The Society has been revised numerous times since. Most famously, on February 5, 1901, the Society entered state service and remains to this day.

The Society values the work our forebears created for us to build upon.

Read more about the early days of the Society in the recent issue of the “South Dakota History” journal, available with one’s membership in the South Dakota State Historical Society. Single issues can be purchased at https://www.sdhspress.com/journal/south-dakota-history-56-1.

(Pictured is the Soldiers and Sailors World War Memorial Building in Pierre, which was the home of the South Dakota State Historical Society from 1932 to 1989.)

05/07/2026

What Historic House Style Are You?
Let us hereby delve into interconnections between aesthetic and personality...
jk, This quiz is for entertainment purposes only. Our Historic Preservation staff made it to share because it's fun 😏and May is Archaeology & Historic Preservation Month in South Dakota! Keep an eye out for these beauties and all historic properties in your neighborhood this month 😎