Get in the holiday spirit and have some fun creating handmade holiday ornaments at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. CDT on Saturday, Nov. 4. There will be free admission to the museum that day, and refreshments will be provided.

It’s “make-and-take” because visitors will make ornaments to decorate a tree for the Cultural Heritage Center as well as ornaments to take home for their own trees. All supplies are provided, and all ages are welcome. Young children should be accompanied by an adult.

“This is always a fun day for the museum. You don’t even need to be particularly crafty to enjoy making these ornaments,” said Jay Smith, director of the museum of the South Dakota State Historical Society. “This year the ornaments for the museum will be hung on a silver tree to accent our upcoming exhibit ‘The Spirit of the ‘70s’ that opens in late November. The decorated tree will be used in the Cultural Heritage Center lobby during the holiday season. There is something for everyone to enjoy and make. No measuring or cutting is needed.”

Visitors can see the exhibit “Building South Dakota” featuring hands-on activities in the Observation Gallery. The exhibit “The South Dakota Experience” is also open.

Visitors can enjoy the tree and all of the center’s decorations during the annual Holiday Open House on Friday, Nov. 24. The Open House will run from 12-4:30 p.m. and will feature visits with Santa Claus, musical entertainment, living-history demonstrations and refreshments. Museum hours will be extended until 6:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday from Nov. 25-Dec. 23. Sunday hours are 1-4:30 p.m.

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.