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Gov. Daugaard proclaims October ‘Archives Month’

Gov. Dennis Daugaard has proclaimed October as “Archives Month” in South Dakota.

Gov. Daugaard notes in the proclamation, “We recognize the value of South Dakota’s archives -- our historical records and the numerous ways they enrich our lives.” 

“This month is the time for us to focus on the important records that protect our rights, provide enduring memories and give recognition to the people and programs that preserve these records” said Chelle (SHEL-ee) Somsen, state archivist and director of the South Dakota State Historical Society-Archives at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre.

The South Dakota State Archives is sponsoring several events that highlight historical records this month including:

Month of October: Photo Scavenger Hunt on Facebook

History is all around us, but how often do we stop to notice it? Throughout the month of October, the State Archives will host a photo scavenger hunt to help people find local sources of history. Each Monday in October, staff will share a new prompt, along with a sample image from State Archives collections. In the comments, share a photo of local examples and join the conversation! Look for the first post on Monday, Oct. 1.

Tuesday, Oct. 2, 7-8 p.m. CDT, History Trivia Night (St. Charles Lounge, 207 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre)
Contestants will form teams of four and answer as many questions correctly as they can. The winning team gets a prize. Join State Archives staff for a fun night of South Dakota and general history trivia.

Wednesday, Oct. 3, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., #AskAnArchivist Day
#AskAnArchivist Day is a national event sponsored by the Society of American Archivists. Follow the Twitter conversation using #AskAnArchivist and send questions to @SDArchives

Saturday, Oct. 6, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., State Archives open (Cultural Heritage Center, 900 Governors Dr., Pierre)
The State Archives at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre will be open.

Wednesday, Oct. 10, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Electronic Records Day
Oct. 10 is designated as "Electronic Records Day" by the Council of State Archivists. Electronic files are much more fragile than paper records, and their long-term survival requires attention and planning. Watch the State Archives Facebook page on Electronic Records Day for tips on preserving and managing electronic files.

Saturday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Escape the Archives (Cultural Heritage Center)
Gather friends together and test your investigation skills with the State Archives' first ever escape room. Teams will have 25 minutes to solve the puzzle. Call 605-773-3804 to sign up for a 30-minute timeslot.

For more information on South Dakota Archives Month, please visit history.sd.gov/archives and click the link to “Archives Month 2018.”

About the South Dakota State Historical Society
The South Dakota State Historical Society is a division of the Department of Education. The State Historical Society, an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, is headquartered at the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. The center houses the society’s world-class museum, the archives, and the historic preservation, publishing and administrative/development offices. Call 605-773-3458 or visit www.history.sd.gov for more information. The society also has an archaeology office in Rapid City; call 605-394-1936 for more information.