July 29, 2026:
Early next month, the Trail of Governors Foundation will host the unveiling of the life-size bronze statue honoring former South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem.
The ceremony– which will also include the unveiling of Noem’s official portrait– will be Friday, August 7, 2026, at 10 a.m. CT at Hilger’s Gulch in Pierre. The specific location for Noem’s statue is near the corner of South Dakota Boulevard and East Church Street.
Noem’s statue was created by sculptor John Lopez and her official portrait was done by David Uhl.
Noem served in the state legislature and in the U.S. House of Representatives before being elected as the state’s first female governor and 33rd governor, overall. She was elected twice, serving from 2019 until 2025, when she resigned to join United States President Donald Trump’s cabinet as the United States’ Secretary of Homeland Security. She was then appointed by Trump as Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas.
Prior to her political service, she helped manage her family’s farm business, hunting lodge and restaurant.
The Trail of Governors is an outdoor public art installation celebrating the individuals who have served as Governor of South Dakota. Located throughout downtown Pierre and the Capitol Complex, the Trail offers visitors an opportunity to explore South Dakota’s rich history through life-size bronze sculptures and educational displays.
According to the Trail of Governors Foundation, each statue tells the story of that person during their lifetime or their service to the state. A bronze plaque at each statue acknowledges the statue’s major contributors and a QR code allows visitors with smart phones to read and listen to the governor’s biography. The statues are funded entirely by donations.
For Noem’s ceremony, Laurie Gill will serve as master of ceremonies. The event will include the posting of the colors by the South Dakota Highway Patrol Honor Guard, an invocation by Pastor Phil Newby of Community Bible Church in Pierre, and a musical presentation by Swaylee Houska.
Featured speakers will include:
- Rick Jensen, President of the Trail of Governors Foundation
- Governor Larry Rhoden
- Lieutenant Governor Tony Venhuizen, Trail of Governors Foundation Board Member
- Sculptor John Lopez
- Portrait Artist David Uhl
- Mayor Todd Johnson, City of Pierre
The public is invited to attend.
May 18, 2026:
The South Dakota Trail of Governors Foundation Board has delayed the unveiling of former Governor Kristi Noem’s bronze statue until August, but the annual Run with the Govs event will take place in June, as scheduled.
The Foundation Board says the postponement is “to accommodate Noem’s schedule in her role as U.S. Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas.”
The unveiling ceremony, originally scheduled for June 12, will now be held Aug. 7 at 10 a.m. CDT on the State Capitol grounds in Pierre. The “Run with the Govs” fundraiser will be held, as scheduled, on Saturday, June 13. More information about the run, including registration information, is available here, https://runsignup.com/Race/SD/Pierre/RunwiththeGovsSD?_sc=MjYyOTU0NiMxMDg2NA%3D%3D.
Noem’s statue is being created by sculptor John Lopez of Lemmon. It will join the 31 governors’ statues on the Trail of Governors that winds its way throughout downtown Pierre and around the State Capitol grounds.
Each statue on the Trail of Governors tells the story of that person during their lifetime or their service to the state. A bronze plaque at each statue acknowledges the statue’s major contributors and a QR code allows visitors with smart phones to read and listen to the governor’s biography.
The statues are entirely funded by donations. Noem’s statue is fully funded, but donations to support the Trail are always welcome.
More information, including how to donate, can be found at TrailofGovernors.com. Donors are listed on this website, and all donations are tax deductible and managed by the South Dakota Community Foundation.
Noem served as South Dakota’s 33rd governor from 2019 until 2025. She was re-elected and was serving a second term before resigning to join President Donald J. Trump’s cabinet as the United States’ Secretary of Homeland Security. She was then appointed by Trump as Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas.
Noem made history as the state’s first female governor. She served in the state legislature and in the U.S. House of Representatives before being elected governor. Prior to her political service, she helped manage her family’s farm business, hunting lodge and restaurant.
April 13, 2026:
The South Dakota Trail of Governors Foundation Board will host the unveiling of former Governor Kristi Noem’s life-size bronze statue Friday, June 12, 2026, at 10am CT on the State Capitol grounds in Pierre.
Noem’s statue is being created by sculptor John Lopez of Lemmon. It will join the 31 governors’ statues on the Trail of Governors that winds its way throughout downtown Pierre and around the State Capitol grounds.
Noem served as South Dakota’s 33rd governor from 2019 until 2025. She was re-elected and was serving a second term before resigning to join President Donald J. Trump’s cabinet as the United States’ Secretary of Homeland Security. She was then appointed by Trump as Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas.
Noem made history as the state’s first female governor. She served in the state legislature and in the U.S. House of Representatives before being elected governor. Prior to her political service, she helped manage her family’s farm business, hunting lodge and restaurant.
Each statue on the Trail of Governors tells the story of that person during their lifetime or their service to the state. A bronze plaque at each statue acknowledges the statue’s major contributors and a QR code allows visitors with smart phones to read and listen to the governor’s biography.
The statues are entirely funded by donations and donor opportunities are available for Noem’s statue. All donations are listed on this website, are tax deductible and are managed by the South Dakota Community Foundation.
More information, including how to donate, can be found at TrailofGovernors.com.
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