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Gov. Daugaard proclaims May ‘Archaeology & Historic Preservation Month’

Gov. Dennis Daugaard has proclaimed May as Archaeology & Historic Preservation Month in South Dakota.

“South Dakota’s cultural heritage is rich and diverse as represented by thousands of historical sites, historic buildings, and landscapes that have been discovered and recorded throughout our state,” Gov. Daugaard said in the proclamation. “Public appreciation and understanding is the foundation of preserving South Dakota’s past for future generations.”

This year’s theme, See! Save! Celebrate!, encourages people to See! the historic beauty of their local communities. If a site is found to be neglected and deteriorating, invest the time to research how to Save! it. Then, take time to Celebrate! all the efforts that have been made to retain historic authenticity in local sites and preserve their stories.

“This annual celebration serves as a showcase for local communities to honor their past and help build their future.” said Jay D. Vogt, director of the South Dakota State Historical Society. “It brings historic preservation to the forefront of our daily lives by emphasizing the vital importance of protecting our nation’s history and heightens public awareness of the destruction to historical sites due to neglect and demolition.”

Activities across South Dakota are listed on the State Historical Society’s online calendar of events at history.sd.gov. This calendar highlights educational programs in the areas of archaeology, preservation and history from across the state and beyond throughout the year. If you would like to submit an event to be posted on the calendar, a form is available on the website calendar page.

For more information on this annual celebration or other historic preservation programs, contact the State Historic Preservation Office at the Cultural Heritage Center, 900 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501-2217; telephone (605) 773-3458, e-mail shpo@state.sd.us, or visit the website history.sd.gov/preservation.

The South Dakota State Historical Society is a division of the Department of Tourism and State Development and strives to help the state meet the goals of the 2010 Initiative by enhancing history as a tool for economic development and cultural tourism. The 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 history.sd.gov for more information. The society also has an archaeology office in Rapid City; call (605) 394-1936 for more information.