The next Family Fun Saturday at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre is July 8, from 10-11:30 a.m. CDT.

July’s activity will focus on flags. Colors and symbols are put together to create unique flags for states, countries and causes. Visitors can create their own flag out of felt and stickers. All materials are provided, and children should be accompanied by an adult. Admission to the museum galleries is free during the program.

The United States flag has evolved over time as stars were added for individual states. The stars have been arranged differently over time. At one time, the flag also had one stripe for each state, but that flag version was short-lived.

South Dakota’s state flag features the State Seal on a blazing sun against a sky blue field. “South Dakota” is printed above the seal and “The Mount Rushmore State” appears below.

“The United States flag and the South Dakota state flag are visible everywhere,” said Museum Director Jay Smith. “They are recognizable symbols of national and state pride. It will be fun to see the personal flags that our visitors put together.”

The museum in the Cultural Heritage Center is open extended hours during the summer, from 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1-4:30 p.m. on Sundays. There is a small admission fee for adults, and children age 17 and younger are always free.

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.