Author: rose

DEADWOOD – Deadwood History, Inc. and the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission will host a presentation by Nancy Davis at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center (HARCC), 150 Sherman Street, Deadwood. The event is free for members and $5 for non-members. 

Discover the rich history behind North Rochford Road’s branch roads, Wood Place and Besant Park Road with Nancy Davis. Samuel Bessant (correct spelling), a carpenter from Southampton, England, built a stagecoach stop on what is now Besant Park Road. His family’s story is one of tragedy, survival, and eventual success, leaving audiences to ponder whether Bessant was a victim of circumstance or his own questionable choices. Nearby, Archibald Bell Wood and Gertrude Hazel Thue, of Scottish and Norwegian descent, homesteaded Wood Place near the Dumont train stop. Archie, a dynamic entrepreneur, and Gerty, a mother of six and beloved midwife, left a lasting legacy. Historical documents and Gerty’s medical book from the 1800s will be on display. 

Nancy N. Davis, a Deadwood native, grew up in rural Meade County and graduated from Sturgis High School and Black Hills State College. She later earned a Master’s degree in Organization and Management from the University of Colorado.  Following a successful career as a construction contract specialist, including work on major projects like the Denver International Airport, Davis retired and transformed her 40-year passion for wildlife photography into a thriving business. For the past two decades, Davis has combined her love of photography with her ancestry research, traveling across six European countries to document her heritage. Her dedication to family history, particularly in the Dumont area, led her to develop an engaging historical presentation about the Bessant and Wood pioneer families, a resource she shares with relatives and history enthusiasts alike.

Preservation Thursday is co-sponsored by the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission, Adams-Mastrovich Family Foundation, Deadwood History, Inc., Deadwood Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, Black Hills Pioneer, Saloon No. 10, and the Silverado Franklin Historic Hotel & Gaming Complex.                                                      

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Deadwood History, Inc. preserves and presents the history of Deadwood and the Black Hills through exceptional places, interactive exhibits, and engaging events.

Adams Museum, Days of ’76 Museum, Historic Adams House, Homestake Adams

Research and Cultural Center, The Brothel Deadwood, and Fassbender Photographic Collection.

DEADWOOD – Deadwood History’s Learn How to Snowshoe Youth Workshop will be held at the Days of ‘76 Museum on Saturday, January 4, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The workshop is suggested for students in grades K-6. The program is free but reservations are required. Reserve your spot today by calling Deadwood History, Inc. (DHI) Education Director Tera Richards at 605-578-1657 or for more information.

Stomp through the snow with DHI staff and discover the joys of snowshoeing! Join us at the Days of ‘76 Museum for an unforgettable morning of outdoor fun tailored for students in grades K-6. This hands-on, kid-friendly activity offers a unique opportunity to explore the beauty of the season while staying active and having fun. This free event provides all the essentials – snowshoes and a steaming cup of hot chocolate to keep you warm. Space is limited, so don’t miss out.

The workshop is co-sponsored by theDeadwood Historic Preservation Commission,Adams-Mastrovich Family Foundation, Deadwood History, Inc., Akrop Family Education Scholarship, Deadwood Chamber & Visitors Bureau, Monument Health Lead-Deadwood, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. 

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Deadwood History, Inc. preserves and presents the history of Deadwood and the Black Hills through exceptional places, interactive exhibits, and engaging events.

Adams Museum, Days of ’76 Museum, Historic Adams House, Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center (HARCC), The Brothel Deadwood, and the Fassbender Photographic Collection.

DEADWOOD – Deadwood History will host the annual Holiday Open House at the Days of ’76 Museum on Saturday, December 7, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Children of all ages and their families are invited to join museum staff for a festive holiday event. Admission to the museum is free.  For more information, please call 605-722-4800.

The Holiday Open House includes free admission to the Days of ’76 Museum, children’s activities, face painting, and great holiday gifts for family and friends.  Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at the museum all day for family photos.   Refreshments will be served. The Days of ’76 Museum is located at 18 Seventy Six Drive, Deadwood. 

The event is co-sponsored by the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission, Adams-Mastrovich Family Foundation, Deadwood History, Inc., Deadwood Alive, Deadwood Chamber & Visitors Bureau, Akrop Family Education Scholarship, Riverfront Broadcasting, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

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Photographs available upon request.

Deadwood History, Inc. preserves and presents the history of Deadwood and the Black Hills through exceptional places, interactive exhibits, and engaging events.

Adams Museum, Days of ’76 Museum, Historic Adams House, Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center (HARCC), The Brothel Deadwood, and Fassbender Photographic Collection.

DEADWOOD – Deadwood History, Inc. invites you to experience the holiday magic with Christmas Tours of the Historic Adams House. Starting November 29, 2024, and running select weekends on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through December 22, step into a Victorian Christmas wonderland, decked out in all its festive finery.  The Historic Adams House will be open from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $8 for members and $12 for non-members, $5 for children 6 – 12 and free to children 5 and under.  Purchase online at DeadwoodHistory.com or at the door.  For more information, please call 605-722-4800. 

With twinkling lights and historical charm, the Adams House is the perfect spot to enjoy the holiday spirit. This open house-style tour lets you wander through the home at your own pace, discovering rooms adorned with unique holiday themes. From shimmering trees to vintage decorations, every room has a story – and Deadwood History’s knowledgeable staff will be there to share fascinating tidbits about the families who lived there and the traditions of Christmas past.  A kid-friendly scavenger hunt will be available for children, and the Adams House gift shop will be stocked with a variety of unique holiday items to complete your Christmas shopping.  The Historic Adams House is located at 22 Van Buren Street, Deadwood. 

The event is co-sponsored by the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission, Adams-Mastrovich Family Foundation, Deadwood History, Deadwood Chamber & Visitors Bureau, Riverfront Broadcasting, and TDG Agency.

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Deadwood History, Inc. preserves and presents the history of Deadwood and the Black Hills through exceptional places, interactive exhibits, and engaging events.

Adams Museum, Days of ’76 Museum, Historic Adams House, Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center (HARCC), The Brothel Deadwood, and Fassbender Photographic Collection.

DEADWOOD – Deadwood Cowboy Christmas is back! The event will be held on Saturday, November 30, 2024, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Days of ‘76 Museum.  Deadwood Cowboy Christmas will include musical entertainment by The Lonely Rangers, hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and a live auction.  Tickets are $35 per person and may be purchased online at DeadwoodHistory.com or by calling 605-722-4800.  Reservations required.  The Days of ’76 Museum is located at 18 Seventy-Six Drive, Deadwood. 

Saddle up for a night of boot-stomping fun as The Lonely Rangers bring their high-energy, acoustic country rock to life.  Guests will enjoy an array of delicious hors d’oeuvres catered by Cheyenne Crossing, a cash bar, and the excitement of a live auction featuring unique and valuable items. Auction highlights include an exclusive Chuck Wagon dinner at the Days of ‘76 Museum, framed historic photographs and artwork, a genuine Saloon No. 10 whiskey barrel, a Henry Pump Action rifle 22LR 18.25”, and much more. Terry Hupp will bring his dynamic auctioneering skills to the stage to guide this one-of-a-kind event. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with all auction proceeds supporting Deadwood History, Inc. and the Days of ‘76 Museum.

The event is co-sponsored by Saloon No. 10, Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission, Adams-Mastrovich Family Foundation, Deadwood History, Deadwood Chamber & Visitors Bureau, Homestake Opera House, Outlaw Square, Silverado Franklin Historic Hotel & Gaming Complex, TDG Agency, and Terry Hupp.

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Deadwood History, Inc. preserves and presents the history of Deadwood and the Black Hills through exceptional places, interactive exhibits, and engaging events.

Adams Museum, Days of ’76 Museum, Historic Adams House, Homestake Adams

Research and Cultural Center, The Brothel Deadwood, and the Fassbender Photographic Collection.

DEADWOOD – Deadwood History, Inc. and the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission will host a presentation by Dr. David Wolff at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center (HARCC), 150 Sherman Street, Deadwood. The event is free for members and $5 for non-members. 

Examine the lives of Seth Bullock and James K. P. Miller, two of Deadwood’s leading citizens, with author and historian Dr. David Wolff.  Both men arrived with the gold rush, ran businesses next to each other, and worked to turn the gold camp into a prosperous community. Despite having many shared experiences, they had different visions of what success meant for themselves and for Deadwood. Dr. Wolff will discuss their motivations and actions, while examining what they accomplished and how they interacted with one another. Bullock and Miller helped create a modern Deadwood but did it in very different ways. 

Dr. David Wolff is Professor Emeritus at Black Hills State University and chairman of the Adams Museum & House board of directors.  Wolff did his undergraduate and master’s work at the University of Wyoming and received his Ph.D. from Arizona State University.  He has published articles in South Dakota History, Mining History Journal, and The American Indian Quarterly.  Wolff has written four books: Industrializing the Rockies: Growth, Competition and Turmoil in the Coalfields of Colorado and Wyoming, 1868-1914 (University Press of Colorado, 2003), Seth Bullock: Black Hills Lawman (South Dakota State Historical Society Press, 2009), The Savior of Deadwood: James K.P. Miller on the Gold Frontier (South Dakota State Historical Society Press, 2021), and Black Hills History Tours: The Gold Rush (South Dakota State Historical Society Press, 2024).  In 2012, the Mining History Association awarded Wolff the Rodman Paul Award for Outstanding Contributions to Mining History. In 2023, he was awarded the South Dakota State Historical Society’s highest honor, the Robinson Memorial Award, one of the Governor’s Awards for History.

Preservation Thursday is co-sponsored by the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission, Adams-Mastrovich Family Foundation, Deadwood History, Inc., Deadwood Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, Black Hills Pioneer, and the Silverado Franklin Historic Hotel & Gaming Complex.                                                      

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Deadwood History, Inc. preserves and presents the history of Deadwood and the Black Hills through exceptional places, interactive exhibits, and engaging events.

Adams Museum, Days of ’76 Museum, Historic Adams House, Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center, The Brothel Deadwood, and Fassbender Photographic Collection. 

DEADWOOD – Deadwood History, Inc. and the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission will host a presentation by Rick Mills at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center (HARCC), 150 Sherman Street, Deadwood. The event is free for members and $5 for non-members. 

Join Rick Mills, renowned author, photographer, and curator of the South Dakota State Railroad Museum, for an engaging presentation that takes you on a captivating journey along the historic Burlington Railroad’s High Line, now known as the George S. Mickelson Trail. Focusing on the northern stretch from Hill City to Deadwood, Mills will share insights from his upcoming book Mileposts on the Mickelson – The Burlington’s High Line.

Rick Mills is the grandson of a Chicago and North Western employee, and the great, great nephew of an Elkhorn Railway surveyor.  Mills wrote and published his first book on railroad history in 1985 while attending the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, and has since authored seven books on regional railroad history, co-authored and contributed to eight other books, produced articles, scripts, and photo essays for history publications and video productions. His career has taken him through several decades in marketing, printing, and tourism promotion in the Black Hills region.

Mills is a fifth generation resident of western South Dakota, and a lifelong railroad enthusiast. He currently serves as the curator of the South Dakota State Railroad Museum in Hill City, a position he has held since the museum’s opening in 2010. Mills has been involved with programming for South Dakota Public Broadcasting, the History Channel, the Discovery Channel, and is a presenter for the South Dakota Humanities Council Speakers Bureau. He was a recipient of the 2023 South Dakota Governor’s Individual Award for the Preservation of History.

Preservation Thursday is co-sponsored by the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission, Adams-Mastrovich Family Foundation, Deadwood History, Inc., Deadwood Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, Black Hills Pioneer, and the Silverado Franklin Historic Hotel & Gaming Complex.                                                      

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Deadwood History, Inc. preserves and presents the history of Deadwood and the Black Hills through exceptional places, interactive exhibits, and engaging events.

Adams Museum, Days of ’76 Museum, Historic Adams House, Homestake Adams

Research and Cultural Center, The Brothel Deadwood, and Fassbender Photographic Collection.