PRESERVATION THURSDAY: BLACK HILLS BANDITS AND BADMEN

DEADWOOD – Deadwood History, Inc. and the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission will host a presentation by Deadwood Alive Assistant Director Ty Sanford and Deadwood Alive Executive Director Andy Mosher on Thursday, January 25, 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. Please feel free to bring your lunch. To become a member and take advantage of these and many more opportunities, memberships can be purchased at DeadwoodHistory.com or by calling 605-722-4800. Every form of support, whether it is an individual membership or a donation, is deeply appreciated.

Listen to stories of murder, mayhem, and miraculous survival in early Deadwood’s past with Ty Sanford and Andy Mosher. At times, the Old West was equal parts truth and legend, and Deadwood and the Black Hills were no exception. When bringing history to life, you can find yourself leaning more toward the legends rather than the truth, but one should always remember that the truth is stranger than fiction.

Ty Sanford has been a student of history from a very young age and that interest was nurtured both at home and in school. He is currently working on a history and education degree. Sanford believes strongly in both education and preservation of history. He feels the best way to do this is through living history where you can turn the abstract into something more tangible and understandable. Sanford has been on the board of directors for the Old Fort Meade Cavalry Museum since 2020. He has been with Deadwood Alive since 2011 as an actor, and in 2016 assumed the role of assistant director, armorer, and group historian. Sanford portrays numerous characters, but his favorites are D. Boone May, shotgun messenger, and attorney, Col. George May.

Andy Mosher was born and raised in Concordia, Kansas, where he worked as a firefighter and EMT for many years before moving to Deadwood in 2005. In 2010, he was recruited by friends to join Deadwood Alive. He plays several different characters throughout the day including Jon Swift at the Trial of Jack McCall. Mosher’s main role on the street is Deadwood’s, first and only, City Marshal Con Stapleton. Since joining the troupe, he has served in various capacities and has been the Executive Director of Deadwood Alive since 2016.

Preservation Thursday is made possible by the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission, Adams-Mastrovich Family Foundation, Deadwood Alive, Deadwood Chamber & Visitors Bureau, Deadwood History, Inc., Deadwood Mountain Grand, and the Black Hills Pioneer.

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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.