July 6, 2026:
Three of the museum spaces in the newly remodeled South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre have reopened (July 1, 2026).
State Historian and Director of the South Dakota State Historical Society Ben Jones said many of the items on display are things you may have seen before.
The original plan had the entire renovation project at the Cultural Heritage Center completed last year. However, Jones said a few things slowed them down, including taking extra time gathering input into the design for the museum spaces.
Jones said they plan to open the other museum areas “sometime this winter.”
Along with last week’s reopening of three of the museum areas, Jones said the South Dakota Historical Society Foundation started a fundraising effort to finish the remodel.
The South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre 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 Historical Society Foundation partners.
A piece in one of the exhibits currently on display in one of the three newly remoded museum spaces at the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre.
July 1, 2026.
Photo credit: Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
A piece in one of the exhibits currently on display in one of the three newly remoded museum spaces at the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre.
July 1, 2026.
Photo credit: Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
A piece in one of the exhibits currently on display in one of the three newly remoded museum spaces at the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre.
July 1, 2026.
Photo credit: Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
A piece in one of the exhibits currently on display in one of the three newly remoded museum spaces at the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre.
July 1, 2026.
Photo credit: Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
A piece in one of the exhibits currently on display in one of the three newly remoded museum spaces at the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre.
July 1, 2026.
Photo credit: Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
A piece in one of the exhibits currently on display in one of the three newly remoded museum spaces at the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre.
July 1, 2026.
Photo credit: Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
State Historian and Director of the South Dakota State Historical Society Ben Jones.
Photo credit: Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
July 1, 2026:
The South Dakota State Historical Society will celebrate the reopening of the museum’s first three newly completed exhibits this afternoon (July 1, 2026).
State Historical Society Assistant Director David Grabitske said the first room welcomes visitors and gives them a quick glimpse into South Dakota history.
Grabitzke says the second room encourages people to think about the difference between “history” and “the past.”
The third room currently holds a temporary exhibit called “Grit and Glory.” It’s in honor of the United States’ 250th birthday this year and holds various patriotic pieces from the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Museum’s collections.
Along with a ribbon cutting at 4pm and doors officially opening to the public at 4:30pm, the Historical Society will also begin a fundraising campaign during Wednesday’s activities.
Courtesy image.
Three museum areas in the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre that are opening July 1, 2026.
Courtesy image.
October 28, 2025:
October is Archives Month in South Dakota.
After being closed for two years because of renovations taking place at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre, the State Archives reopened to the public in July 2025 (July 7, 2025).
State Archivist Chelle Somsen says the archives are the official storage place for government records.
Somsen talks about what things they consider when determining whether or not something will be added into the State Archives.
For people who would like to use the State Archives to do research, Somsen recommends making an appointment.
The entire South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center building– including the museum– is expected to reopen to the public in late June 2026, in time for America’s 250th birthday on July 4.
Please call or email the Reference Desk to make an appointment.
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Reference Desk Phone: 605-773-3804
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Reference Desk Email: StateArchives@state.sd.us
More information is available on the State Archives website, https://history.sd.gov/archives.
South Dakota State Archivist Chelle Somsen.
Photo credit to Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
Oct. 9, 2025.
South Dakota State Archives microfilm reader.
Photo credit to Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
Oct. 9, 2025.
South Dakota State Archives reference materials.
Photo credit to Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
Oct. 9, 2025.
South Dakota State Archives reference materials.
Photo credit to Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
Oct. 9, 2025.
South Dakota State Archives reference materials.
Photo credit to Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
Oct. 9, 2025.
South Dakota State Archives reference materials.
Photo credit to Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
Oct. 9, 2025.
South Dakota State Archives reference materials.
Photo credit to Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
Oct. 9, 2025.
South Dakota State Archives reference materials.
Photo credit to Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
Oct. 9, 2025.
South Dakota State Archives reference materials.
Photo credit to Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
Oct. 9, 2025.
South Dakota State Archives reference materials on collapsible shelves to save storage space.
Photo credit to Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
Oct. 9, 2025.
South Dakota State Archives reference materials on collapsible shelves to save storage space. Staff turn these handles one way or another to move shelves so they can get between the rows to find materials.
Photo credit to Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
Oct. 9, 2025.
South Dakota State Archives reference materials on collapsible shelves to save storage space.
Photo credit to Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
Oct. 9, 2025.
South Dakota State Archives reference materials.
Photo credit to Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
Oct. 9, 2025.
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