MAY 2, 2023, UPDATE:
The South Dakota State Historical Society held a ceremonial groundbreaking this afternoon (May 2, 2023) to celebrate the renovation project at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre.
Governor Kristi Noem said preserving the past helps build the future.
Noem said it’s important to have a place to preserve the state’s history.
Renovation plans include updates to the archives research room, heating and cooling systems, interior lighting and increased collections storage capacity. The nearly $20 million expansion started in March. The plan is to have all of the work completed in 2025.
Because the museum and archives are closed to the public during construction, the Historical Society is making arrangements for some of the museum artifacts to become traveling exhibits. For information about hosting one, call David Grabitske at 605-773-3798.
Also, despite the archives research room being closed to the public, staff will continue to provide research services throughout the renovation via email, mail and telephone. Archives staff will also continue to accept donations, process collections, catalog books, digitize materials and provide outreach services. Researchers are encouraged to call 605-773-3804 or email archref@state.sd.us to request research services.
They will be displayed at different locations around South Dakota, including at Northridge Plaza in Pierre.
The Historical Society will continue to provide service from temporary headquarters during the estimated 18-month renovation period. Researchers are encouraged to call 605-773-3804 or email archref@state.sd.us or visit history.sd.gov/archives to for information about research services that are available.
District 24 Rep. and House Majority Leader Will Mortenson, dressed as Scotty Philip, emcees the groundbreaking at the Cultural Heritage Center May 2, 2023.
Photo credit Jody Heemstra DRG Media Group.
Gov. Kristi Noem, dressed as Laura Ingalls Wilder, speaks about the importance of preserving history during the groundbreaking for the Cultural Heritage Center May 2, 2023.
Photo credit Jody Heemstra DRG Media Group.
South Dakota Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden, dressed as Wild Bill Hickock, speaks during the groundbreaking at the Cultural Heritage Center May 2, 2023.
Photo credit Jody Heemstra DRG Media Group.
South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center groundbreaking May 2, 2023.
Photo credit Jody Heemstra DRG Media Group.
South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center groundbreaking May 2, 2023.
Photo credit Jody Heemstra DRG Media Group.
South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center groundbreaking May 2, 2023.
Photo credit Jody Heemstra DRG Media Group.
South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center groundbreaking May 2, 2023.
Photo credit Jody Heemstra DRG Media Group.
(L to R): State Historian and Director of the South Dakota State Historical Society Dr. Ben Jones as Joe Foss; Gov. Kristi Noem as Laura Ingalls Wilder; District 24 Rep. Will Mortenson as Scotty Philip; Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden as Wild Bill Hickok; Noem Chief of Staff Mark Miller as Governor Bill Janklow during the groundbreaking at the Cultural Heritage Center May 2, 2023.
Photo credit Jody Heemstra DRG Media Group.
MAY 2, 2023:
The South Dakota State Historical Society is hosting a ceremonial groundbreaking today (May 2, 2023) at 1:30pm CT to celebrate the major renovation of the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre.
Renovation plans include updates to the archives research room, heating and cooling systems, interior lighting and increased collections storage capacity. The nearly $20 million expansion started in March. The plan is to have all of the work completed in 2025.
Because the museum and archives will be off limits to the public during construction, the Historical Society is making arrangements for some of the museum artifacts to become traveling exhibits. They will be displayed at different locations around South Dakota, including at Northridge Plaza in Pierre.
The Historical Society will continue to provide service from temporary headquarters during the estimated 18-month renovation period. Researchers are encouraged to call 605-773-3804 or email archref@state.sd.us or visit history.sd.gov/archives to for information about research services that are available.
Each year, the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre welcomes more than 16,000 visitors from every state and more than 20 foreign countries. The Cultural Heritage Center is home to the State Historical Society, which encompasses the state history museum, the state Archives, the Historical Society Press, the state historic preservation office and South Dakota Historical Society Foundation partners.
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MARCH 24, 2023:
Saturday (March 25, 2023) is the last day the public can visit the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Museum in Pierre for at least 18 months because a major renovation and expansion will be taking place.
State Historical Society Assistant Director David Grabitske says they’re moving things out of the current building.
Grabitske says they will consider loaning out some of their displays to town, county and other museums around the state.
For information about hosting a traveling exhibit, call the South Dakota State Historical Society, call Grabitske at 605-773-3798.
Also, despite the archives research room being closed to the public, staff will continue to provide research services throughout the renovation via email, mail and telephone. Archives staff will also continue to accept donations, process collections, catalog books, digitize materials and provide outreach services. Researchers are encouraged to call 605-773-3804 or email archref@state.sd.us to request research services.
The work on the roughly $20 million expansion should be completed in 2025. Renovation plans include updates to the archives research room, heating and cooling systems, interior lighting and increased collections storage capacity.
MARCH 2, 2023:
A nearly $20 million expansion of the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre is scheduled to begin later this month (March 2023).
Renovation plans include updates to the archives research room, heating and cooling systems, interior lighting and increased collections storage capacity. To make room for the work, the archives research room will be closed to in-person research visits beginning March 10. After that date, researchers are encouraged to call 605-773-3804 or email archref@state.sd.us to request research services.
The South Dakota State Historical Society Museum is currently scheduled to be closed to the public starting March 25. Museum staff have been working on preparing artifacts for storage during the renovation and so far, 50% of the artifacts are off exhibit.
The plan is to have all of the work completed in 2025.
Despite the archives research room being closed to the public, staff will continue to provide research services to the public throughout the renovation via email, mail and telephone. Archives staff will also continue to accept donations, process collections, catalog books, digitize materials and provide outreach services.
Because the museum and archives will be off limits to the public during construction, the Historical Society is making arrangements for some of the museum artifacts to become traveling exhibits. They will be displayed at different locations around South Dakota, including at Northridge Plaza in Pierre.
For more information about archival support, contact the State Historical Society-State Archives at 605-773-3804 or visit history.sd.gov/archives.
Engineer’s projected image from front.
Image credit South Dakota Historical Society.
Engineer’s projected image from above.
Image credit South Dakota Historical Society.
JANUARY 30, 2023:
Over 30 years after being built, the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre is getting ready for a major expansion.
Dr. Ben Jones, Director of the State Historical Society, says they want to complete the project before they run out of storage space.
Assistant Director David Grabitske says age of an item isn’t necessarily connected to whether or not a piece belongs in the state’s historical collection.
Grabitske says they have thousands of items and over one million images to preserve, display and store.
Grabitske and Jones say they plan to break ground on the nearly $20 million expansion this spring and hope to have it finished in 2025.
Because the museum and archives will be off limits to the public during construction, the Historical Society is making arrangements for some of the museum artifacts to become exhibits at different locations around South Dakota, including at Northridge Plaza in Pierre. They are making plans for limited archival services and support to keep the state’s history accessible.
Items currently being stored at the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre.
Photo credit DRG Media Group.
Katy Schmidt, Curator of Collections, and Corey Christianson, Collection Management Specialist, carefully remove an item from one of the storage drawers.
Photo credit DRG Media Group.
Katy Schmidt, Curator of Collections, and Corey Christianson, Collection Management Specialist, carefully remove an item from one of the storage drawers.
Photo credit DRG Media Group.
South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center renovation timeline.
Photo credit DRG Media Group.
South Dakota State Historical Society Director Dr. Ben Jones.
Photo credit DRG Media Group.
South Dakota State Historical Society Assistant Director David Grabitske.
Photo credit DRG Media Group.
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