Author: rose

DEADWOOD – New York Times bestselling author Chris Enss will spend a long weekend in Deadwood.  On Thursday, September 19, Enss will present author and film director L.J. Martin’s newly released western Mr. Pettigrew, a film she starred in, at the Days of ’76 Museum at 6:00 p.m. The movie preview is free; donations are accepted.  On Friday, September 20, Enss will be signing copies of her book, An Open Secret: The Story of Deadwood’s Most Notorious Bordellos as well as several of her other books from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at The Brothel Deadwood.  Enss will also host five 30-minute presentations about the Pinkerton detective agents at 12:00, 1:00, 2:00, 4:00, and 5:00 p.m. at the Brothel.  The Brothel tour will be $10 per person for the day.  Stop by and meet Chris Enss and tour The Brothel.  Snacks and a bourbon tasting at 3:00 p.m. will be a featured part of this event.  Special drawings will be available to brothel visitors throughout the day.  Enss will sign copies of her books at the Saloon No. 10 Mercantile on Saturday, September 21 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Enss will be joined by the author and comedian Geri Jewell, who will make a special appearance to present her book, Geri’s Jewels & Gems.  Jewell portrayed Jewel in the HBO® series Deadwood. The events are open to the public.

Chris Enss’ book An Open Secret explores infamous brothels like the Beige Door, the people who ran them, their employees, notable clients, and related crimes. Notable figures include Dora DuFran and Al Swearingen, with popular Deadwood brothels such as the Shy-Ann Room and the Shasta Rooms. After over a century of operation, Deadwood’s brothels were forced to closed in 1980.

Chris Enss is a New York Times bestselling author who has been writing about women of the Old West for more than thirty years.  She has penned more than fifty published books on the subject.  Her work has been honored with nine Will Rogers Medallion Awards, two Elmer Kelton Book Awards, an Oklahoma Center for the Book Award, three Foreword Review Magazine Book Awards, the Laura Downing Journalism Award, and three Western Writers of America Spur Finalist Awards.  Enss’s most recent works are The Widowed Ones: Beyond the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Along Came a Cowgirl: Daring and Iconic Cowgirls of Rodeos and Wild West Shows, and Straight Lady: The Life and Times of Margaret Dumont “The Fifth Marx Brother.”

Geri Jewell, best known for her role as “Cousin Geri” on NBC’s The Facts of Life, and her recurring role as Jewell on HBO’s Deadwood, began her career as a stand-up comic. She has appeared on numerous comedy shows, including A&E’s Evening at the Improv and Comedy Central, and starred in films such as Two of a Kind and Night of the White Pants. Jewell’s memoir, I’m Walking as Straight as I Can, won the 2012 Gold Award for Best Memoir. She has received multiple awards throughout her career and is currently starring in and producing the documentary My Next Breath.

Co-sponsored by the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission, Adams-Mastrovich Family Foundation, Deadwood History, Inc., Chris Enss, Deadwood Mountain Grand, Silverado Franklin Historic Hotel & Gaming Complex, The Nugget Saloon, and Saloon No. 10.

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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. (DHI) will host a Vision Board Workshop for students and families at the Days of ‘76 Museum on Saturday, September 14, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The workshop is for students of all ages and their families. The program is free but reservations are required. Call Education Director Tera Richards at 605-578-1657 for reservations or more information.

The Vision Board Workshop is designed to spark creativity and set the tone for an inspiring new school year. Join DHI for an engaging and interactive experience.  During this hands-on workshop, participants will craft their own vision boards – a powerful, visual tool for setting and achieving goals. Whether your aspirations are academic, personal, or both, this workshop will help you turn dreams into reality through art and reflection. With a variety of craft materials, participants will design a powerful visual roadmap for success, igniting inspiration and motivation that will fuel their journey throughout the entire year.  This event is more than just a creative outlet; it’s an opportunity for families to come together, bond, and support each other’s goals in a fun and engaging environment.

The workshop is co-sponsored by the Deadwood 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, Inc. and the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission will host a presentation by Aaron Mayer at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 5, 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. 

Archaeological investigations of the laundress quarters at old Fort Meade illustrate how one immigrant couple survived, thrived, and died on the western frontier. Remains of a log cabin and its contents and a nearby privy tell the story of Rose Courtney, adventurous Seventh Cavalry laundress. Some 6,000 artifacts from two week-long volunteer digs provide a snapshot of life on Soapsuds Row in 1907 from clothing to food to liquor consumption.

Aaron J. Mayer is the senior archaeologist/paleoethnobotanist at Augustana University, Augustana Archaeology Laboratory. After earning his graduate degree from the University of South Dakota, he worked on excavations in Wyoming and field investigations in Nebraska and Minnesota. As a staff archaeologist at the South Dakota Archaeological Research Center, he focused on past human plant use, experimental archaeology, and Great Plains history, completing numerous Section 106 projects. Mayer is a member of the Register of Professional Archaeologists and has co-authored paleontological studies for the Bureau of Reclamation. He currently serves as treasurer of the South Dakota Archaeological Society and is published in various archaeological journals.  Mayer’s interests lie in the paleoethnobotany of the Peruvian Wari, Great Plains American Indian cultures and Euro-American settlers.

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 Philip Hall at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, August 16, 2024, at the Historic Adams House, 22 Van Buren Street, Deadwood. The event is free for members and $5 for non-members. In case of rain, the lecture will be moved to the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center (HARCC). 

Philip Hall will discuss Two Sticks, an Ogalala Lakota Chief, who was the sole Native American executed for the murder of cowboys on February 4, 1893. On the morning of the killings at Halfway Camp, Philip Wells, the Boss Farmer for the White Clay District who was part Santee, personally led a small party to investigate the crime scene. During the arrest at No Water’s village, Two Sticks’ son, First Eagle, was killed. The evidence against Two Sticks was circumstantial, and unfortunately Two Sticks was executed on December 28, 1894, in Deadwood. 

Philip Hall obtained his Ph.D. in 1972 from the University of Montana. During his forty-year professional career, he assisted teachers in Montana, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming in their efforts to help children with debilitating learning and/or behavior problems find success in the classroom. As an academic, he helped graduate students become competent school psychologists. In the process, he wrote or co-authored ten books, including the widely-used Educating Children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and was a featured presenter at conferences or in-service training from Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Toronto, Ontario, Arlington, Virginia., and Boston, Massachusetts, to Los Angeles, California. As a hobby, he wrote three books about the history of southwestern South Dakota, the latest one From Wounded Knee to the Gallows: The Life and Trials of Lakota Chief Two Strikes, published in May 2020 by the University of Oklahoma Press. His next and final book, The White River Badlands: Its History and Characters, is in press.

History on the Lawn 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. is thrilled to announce its first annual pistol raffle, featuring a rare and highly collectable Wild Bill Colt 1851 Navy Conversion .38 Special (SP). This exquisite revolver is part of Uberti’s limited-edition Outlaws and Lawmen collection, inspired by the legendary Old West figure, James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok.

The Wild Bill Colt 1851 Navy Conversion .38 Special is a meticulous replica of the iconic gun carried by Hickok himself. While it maintains the romantic and historical allure of Wild Bill’s original sidearm, this replica is practically chambered for the easily available .38 special cartridge. The revolver features a blue steel, case-hardened finish with a simulated ivory grip, capturing the essence of the Wild West in every detail.

“This raffle offers a unique opportunity to own a piece of history,” said Executive Director Jim Williams. “Only a limited number of these guns are produced each year, making them rare and extremely popular. We are excited to offer this exclusive chance to our community, visitors, and supporters.”

Raffle tickets are priced at $20 each or six for $100, with only 1,000 tickets available for purchase. The proceeds from the raffle will directly benefit the Deadwood museums and education programs, supporting the preservation of our rich heritage and the education of future generations.

“The funds raised through this raffle are vital for our ongoing efforts to maintain and enhance our museums and educational initiatives,” added Communications Director Rose Speirs. “We appreciate the support of everyone who participates and helps us keep the spirit of the Old West alive.”

The drawing for the Wild Bill Colt 1851 Navy Conversion .38 Special will take place on October 1, 2024, the winner need not be present to win. Don’t miss your chance to win this extraordinary piece of history and support a great cause.

To purchase raffle tickets outside of Deadwood or for more information, please contact Jim Williams or Rose Speirs at 605-722-4800.  Tickets can also be purchased at the Days of ’76 Museum, the Adams Museum, The Brothel Deadwood, or the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center.

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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 Alex FireThunder and family at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, July 19, 2024, at the Historic Adams House, 22 Van Buren Street, Deadwood. The event is free for members and $5 for non-members. Please bring a lunch and a chair. In case of inclement weather, the lecture will be moved to the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center (HARCC). 

Alex and Camille FireThunder, along with their two sons and daughter, will present on the hoop dance, including its history and meaning amongst their family as well as among the Lakota/Dakota people. Alex will bring his drum and will be singing live for the rest of the family to dance to the heartbeat of the drum. When not dancing, the children will likely join him in singing both traditional and contemporary Lakota/Dakota songs. In addition to the hoop dance, they will share various aspects of Lakota/Dakota history, language, and culture with the aim of building bridges and strengthening human connections.

Alex FireThunder is the executive director of the Lakota Language Consortium.  As an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, FireThunder brings a wealth of experience to his role, holding a BSW in Social Work, MA in Lakota Leadership, and a Lakota Language Certificate from Oglala Lakota College.  A seasoned educator, he taught Lakota for four years at Little Wound School and has been a vital part of the Lakota Language Consortium since 2017.  A musician and Native American Music Awards award-winning song composer, he founded Hoyeya, a platform for promoting Lakota language content.   FireThunder believes in the transformative power of language in shaping a strong Lakota identity. 

History on the Lawn 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 – The Northern Hills Community Band will kick off their summer concert series at the Historic Adams House side lawn at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 20, 2024.  The band will play a variety of popular musical selections. The event is free and donations are accepted.  In case of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center (HARCC), 150 Sherman Street.

Under the direction of Dr. Christopher Hahn, the Northern Hills Community Band provides concerts in and around the Black Hills during the summer.  The group is composed of multiple generations of musicians who have shared their musical talents and entertained for more than a century.  The band plays a wide range of musical selections, including patriotic songs, marches, and show tunes.    

For more information please call 605-722-4800.  In the event of inclement weather the concert will be held at the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center (HARCC).  Parking for the Historic Adams House, 22 Van Buren Street, is available in front of the Historic Adams House or in the Sherman Street parking lot next to the HARCC. 

The concert is co-sponsored by the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission, Adams-Mastrovich Family Foundation, and Deadwood History.

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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 series of summer camps for area youth.  The Summer Camp Series kicks off with Nature Exploration Camp wherecampers will explore nature and learn about birds, plants, bees, trees, and wildlife.  Students will enjoy hiking and exploring the great outdoors during this five day camp.  Nature Exploration Camp is for students going into grades 4-6.  This camp takes place on June 17 to 21 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.  The cost is $50 for members and $55 for non-members. Reservations required. 

Learn the basics of archaeology with Introduction to Archaeology Camp for students going into grades 1-3.  Campers will learn how to set up a dig site, proper tool handling, how to identify and map artifacts, the importance of record keeping, and how artifacts are stored.  This experience promises to spark the child’s curiosity about the past and provide a unique opportunity for them to learn about different cultures and archaeological techniques in a fun and educational setting. Introduction to Archaeology Camp takes place on June 26 to 28 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and the cost is $40 for members and $45 for non-members.

Students going into grades 1-3 can also join us for CrAzy Art Camp where creativity knows no bounds and imagination takes flight.  What sets CrAzy Art Camp apart is the unique focus on using a diverse assortment of materials, including used items, new supplies, and natural elements.  Campers will immerse themselves in nature and draw inspiration from the great outdoors during this three-day camp.  The Art Camp runs from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on July 10 to 12 and the cost is $40 for members and $45 for non-members.

At Mad Music Camp students will embark on an exciting, creative journey through the diverse realms of music, exploring various genres, styles, and instruments along the way.  Throughout the week, students in grades 4-6 will learn about the rich diversity of musical expression and engage in hands-on activities and homemade instruments that ignite their passion for music.  This camp is scheduled from July 15 to 19, running daily from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The cost is $50 for members and $55 for non-members. 

For more information or to register for summer camp, please contact Education Director Tera Richards at 605-578-1657. All camps take place at the Days of ‘76 Museum, 18 Seventy-Six Drive, Deadwood.  Reservations are required.  Scholarships are available.  The camps fill up quickly, so please reserve your space today. 

Co-sponsored by the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission, Adams-Mastrovich Family Foundation, Deadwood History, Deadwood Chamber & Visitors Bureau, Black Hills Pioneer, 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, The Brothel Deadwood, and Fassbender Photographic Collection. 

DEADWOOD – Deadwood History, Inc. and the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission will host a presentation by Kary Janousek and family at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, June 14, 2024, at the Historic Adams House, 22 Van Buren Street, Deadwood. The event is free for members and $5 for non-members. Please bring a lunch and a chair. In case of inclement weather, the lecture will be moved to the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center (HARCC). 

Portrait photographer and artist Kary Janousek from Fargo, North Dakota, will touch on the historical beginnings of photography and how it affected society. Explaining briefly the process of wet plate collodion and its specific role in history from the 1850s to the late 1880s, and why it still has a place in modern society today. The demonstration will pose a sitter, creating the plate, taking the exposure, and then fixing it on site for people to see the results. Three addition sittings will be sold for $75 per sitting at 2:30, 3:00, and 3:30 p.m. 

Kary Janousek has pursued a variety of interests throughout her life, but after modeling for a series of ambrotypes she decided to focus on photography. She studied the historic wet plate collodion process in 2019 and took her first glass image that autumn. Janousek opened her first studio in 2020 in Maplewood, North Dakota, and a little over a year later, she moved her natural light Victorian studio to downtown Fargo, North Dakota, where she continues to work and operate her online vintage and antique hat business part-time. Janousek has had 11 solo art exhibitions in the last four years of practice. She has been featured in art and photography podcasts, international photographic magazines, regional newspapers, and local TV and radio programs. She was awarded the TAP grant with the Arts Partnership in 2021 for her work with the Cass County Historical Society, and she won the annual Rourke Art Museum Midwestern Exhibition in 2023. In 2024, she is focusing on visiting historical sites across the state that honor the past and that support family friendly community activities during her Silver Lining Tintype Tour. 

History on the Lawn 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 – In celebration of Mother’s Day, Deadwood History, Inc. is offering free tours of the Adams Museum, the Days of ‘76 Museum, and the Historic Adams House to all mothers on Sunday, May 12, 2024.  For more information call the Adams Museum at 605-578-1714, the Days of ‘76 Museum at 605-578-1657, or the Historic Adams House at 605-578-3724.

Travel through three floors of dynamic exhibits at the Adams Museum that shine a light on Deadwood’s legends and outlaws, chronicle the city’s progress and its notorious businesses, and detail the advancement of frontier transportation.  Discover Potato Creek Johnny’s original gold nugget and explore the beautiful and unique natural history of the Black Hills.  The Adams Museum is self-guided and open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  The museum is located at 54 Sherman Street.

The Days of ’76 Museum documents the celebration and PRCA award-winning rodeo.  The museum also features exceptional exhibits of stagecoaches and carriages, historic firearms, rare Native American artifacts, and illustrates Deadwood’s enduring friendship with Buffalo Bill Cody.  The museum is self-guided and open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  The Days of ‘76 Museum is located at 18 Seventy Six Drive. Free parking is available.

The meticulously restored Queen Anne-style Victorian mansion was home to two prominent Deadwood pioneers:  Harris Franklin and W.E. Adams.  Discover Deadwood’s transition from a raucous mining camp to a civilized society as told through the lives of the Franklin and the Adams families. Guided tours of the Historic Adams House are offered daily at the top of the hour from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  The Adams House is located at 22 Van Buren Street.

Deadwood History is supported in part by its members, sponsors, the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission, and the Adams-Mastrovich Family 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.