New Exhibits at the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center
July 2, 2026
We are thrilled to kick off a month of exhibit grand openings. On July 1st, Split Rock Studios celebrated the debut of the first two new exhibit areas at the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center.
Founded even before South Dakota achieved statehood, the South Dakota State Historical Society (SDSHS) has long been dedicated to preserving the state’s heritage. The new exhibits at the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center illustrate how historians, museum curators, and archivists piece together the past and invite every visitor to become a student of South Dakotan history.
Exhibits Now Open
Entering the museum, the ‘Welcome’ Gallery educates visitors about the vital work the SDSHS does for South Dakotans and travelers alike, highlighting its mission to the past, present, and future. Beyond showcasing priceless South Dakotan artifacts, it features a playful photo op encouraging visitors to stop, pose for a photo, explore the state, and share their journey.
Next, visitors step into the ‘What is History’ gallery, where the tone for the rest of the museum experience is set. Here, the exhibit frames history not as a set of definitive facts but as an ongoing conversation, a dynamic process of discovery, revision, and debate. A rich montage of graphics, artifact cases, and digital monitors fills the space. The exhibit explores how South Dakota’s people and landscapes influence each other, from culture and personal values to events and environmental needs. As visitors begin their journey through the museum, the exhibits invite everyone to see themselves as part of the state’s unfolding story.
More Exhibits to Come
We’re excited to install and share the remaining exhibits later this year, fostering connections among visitors and all South Dakotans. Stay tuned as we bring the rest of this museum to life!
The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm, and Sundays from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm. Plan your visit to see the first two galleries and the SDSHS temporary exhibition.
