Gov. Daugaard Proclaims October as “Archives Month”
Gov. Dennis Daugaard has proclaimed October as “Archives Month” in South Dakota.
“Archival institutions have a responsibility to collect, organize, preserve and make available records that document the history of the state of South Dakota and the plains region for the education and appreciation of present and future generations,” Gov. Daugaard noted in the proclamation.
“October is a chance for South Dakotans to recognize the importance of archives and historical records,” noted Chelle Somsen, state srchivist for the South Dakota State Historical Society at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. “There are county, municipal, university and private archives as well as the State Archives and each of these organizations contain historical records that document the rich history of our state.”
The South Dakota State Archives is sponsoring or participating in several events that highlight historical records this month including:
Saturday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (CDT), Archives Open
The State Archives at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre will be open.
Sunday, Oct. 5, 2 p.m., Calvary Cemetery Tour (north of Pierre on Hwy 1804)
State Archives staffer Ken Stewart will conduct a tour of the cemetery while discussing some of the area’s early residents that are buried there.
Friday, Oct. 10, All Day, 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.
Tuesday, Oct. 14, 7 p.m., “The Year from Dakota Territory to South Dakota”
Humanities scholars Joyce Jefferson, Belinda Joe and Lil Witt will use local newspapers to tell about “The Year from Dakota Territory to South Dakota” at the Cultural Heritage Center. In addition, the staff of the State Archives will tell about newspaper resources they offer. The program is hosted by the APT Book Club and the South Dakota Historical Society Foundation. It is made possible by the South Dakota Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
For more information on South Dakota Archives Month please visit www.history.sd.gov/archives and click the link to “Archives Month 2014.”
