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July 9, 2018

History on the Lawn at the Historic Adams House: Why are we so fascinated with the Wild West? Does the reality live up to the tall tales?

DEADWOOD – Deadwood History, Inc. and the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission will host a presentation by South Dakota writer Tom Griffith at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, July 20, 2018, at the Historic Adams House. The event is wheelchair accessible. Please feel free to bring your lunch. 

Why are we so fascinated with the Wild West? From captivating stories of gold rush success and failure, to gunslingers and untimely death, the legends and lore of the Western frontier present an endless stream of struggles against unforgiving natural surroundings and those willing to risk life and limb in their pursuit of a personal Eldorado. Those accounts, some real and many embellished, parallel modern-day efforts of entrepreneurs and contemporary bandits who seek fame and fortune through legal and illicit means, ensuring that our hunger for larger-than-life figures – heroes, heroines, and villains – will be satiated right up to the time we take that long, dirt nap.

Tom Griffith has been a reporter, photographer, and managing editor in Arizona, Montana, and South Dakota. In a varied career, he served as the first employee of the Mount Rushmore Society, helping raise $25 million and stage the formal dedication of the memorial with President George H.W. Bush, founded an advertising agency then sold it, and has written or co-authored more than 70 books for major publishers including Random House, Simon & Schuster, and The Globe Pequot Press.

Griffith’s travel writing and photography have appeared in more than 250 newspapers and magazines from New York to New Zealand, including Rolling Stone India, True West, Hadassah, Historic Traveler, Where to Retire, Volaris, Chicago Tribune, Houston Chronicle, Denver Post, The Times of India, and the New Zealand Herald.

Griffith is currently working on three new books: a biography on Rapid Citian Dave Ploof, the winningest coach in the history of American Legion baseball; National Parks of the West for Random House; and Black Hills Myths and Legends for The Globe Pequot Press.

The lecture is co-sponsored by the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission, Deadwood History, Adams-Mastrovich Family Foundation, Deadwood Chamber & Visitors Bureau, Jerry Greer’s Engineering, and Celebrity Hotel & Casino.

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We inspire the global community by preserving and celebrating the cultural heritage of Deadwood and the Black Hills in the context of the American West through exceptional exhibits, innovative educational programs and access to extensive collections in unique settings.

Adams Museum, Days of '76 Museum, Historic Adams House and
Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center (HARCC)

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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