State Historical Society of North Dakota

The escape room at the 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse State Historic Site is open again!

Stutsman County Courthouse State Historic Site Escape Room | North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum Welcome to the escape room at the Stutsman County Courthouse State Historic Site! Please sign up using the calendar below with at least 48 hours notice. Your date and time will be confirmed once you receive an email from our staff. Payment will be taken at the site the day of your escape room.Curren...

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗲? 𝗙𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗮𝗸𝗼𝘁𝗮 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀

Recently, the North Dakota State Archives received permission from Doug Wick to digitize his 1988 book “North Dakota Place Names” and make it accessible on Digital Horizons. This invaluable resource includes nearly every place name in North Dakota and features the present-day county, location, and history of each place.

To celebrate online access for Wick’s book, read this blog article to hear five tales of North Dakota place names.

What’s in a Name? Five Fantastic Tales of North Dakota Place Names | State Historical Society of North Dakota Blog This blog takes you behind the scenes of the State Historical Society of North Dakota. Get a glimpse at a day-in-the-life of the staff, volunteers, and partners who make it all possible. Discover what it takes to preserve North Dakota's natural and cultural history.

𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗹 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗺 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗴𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀

On Tuesday, Aug. 6, planning for a new military museum gallery addition located on the south side of the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum in Bismarck took another step forward. The Capitol Grounds Planning Commission unanimously approved architectural design development drawings submitted by the State Historical Society of North Dakota and the North Dakota National Guard. With this approval of an exterior design and use of a Capitol grounds site, the planning team is ready to move forward with developing construction documents. View the architectural designs at bit.ly/MilitaryGalleryRenderings.

Preliminary design plans for the approximately 60,000-square-foot addition include a 20,000-square-foot military gallery, a North Dakota National Guard regimental room also available to the public for rental events, an expanded food service area, and an outdoor courtyard and amphitheater space.

Read the full news release at eepurl.com/iWCEZo.

Sgt. William A. Marek of Ashley, ND earned his Purple Heart on July 24, 1943, when he was wounded in action in the Mediterranean Theater. Marek served during World War II in Africa, Italy, and Germany as a member of the 504th Parachute Infantry, 82nd Airborne Division.

This month, the Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile State Historic Site celebrates 15 years of operations as a State Historical Society of North Dakota historic site.

Our first public tours began on July 13th, 2009 while our official grand opening was held on July 31st, 2009. Today marks the official establishment of our site as well that year, which consists of the former Oscar-Zero Launch Control Facility/Missile Alert Facility (seen below) and the former November-33 Launch Facility.

Fast forward to 2024. This year we're still seeing slightly above normal visitation, and while we interpret North Dakota's Cold War past, we look forward to the future.

Our special thanks to all of our visitors over the years, to our seasonal interpretive and maintenance staff from 2009 to today, our first Site Supervisor Mark Sundlov for getting the ball rolling, the support of North Dakota's State Heritage Center, the State Historical Society of North Dakota Foundation, the Friends of Oscar-Zero, and the many, many other folks who helped establish and maintain the site over the years!

A view of Fourth Street in Bismarck looking south, circa August 1972.

SHSND 10289-01399

When The Spanish Flag Flew In North Dakota: John Evans’ 1796 Expedition

As a seasonal interpreter at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center in Washburn, I get to share the history of the Lewis and Clark Expedition’s stay among the Mandan and Hidatsa peoples during winter 1804-5. Most visitors, however, do not know that an expedition eight years prior also came up the Missouri River and wintered among the Mandans. That expedition was led by John Evans, who was exploring for Spain.

Read the full blog article at

When the Spanish Flag Flew in North Dakota: John Evans’ 1796 Expedition | State Historical Society of North Dakota Blog This blog takes you behind the scenes of the State Historical Society of North Dakota. Get a glimpse at a day-in-the-life of the staff, volunteers, and partners who make it all possible. Discover what it takes to preserve North Dakota's natural and cultural history.

A historic district in Bismarck listed in the National Register of Historic Places - NPS has been expanded. The National Register of Historic Places is the federal government’s list of properties it considers worthy of preservation and recognition. North Dakota nominations are coordinated by the State Historical Society of North Dakota.

In 2022, the Highland Acres Historic District in Bismarck was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The district is significant at the local level for its role in community development and planning and for being an enclave of mid-century and contemporary residential architecture where several architects, prominent builders, and a variety of individuals chose to build their homes. The historic district has been expanded to include the residences in the Torrance Addition.

Contrary to some misconceptions about the National Register program, listing in it does not prevent owners from altering their property, restrict the use or sale of the property, or require establishing times that the property must be open to the public. Entry into the National Register of Historic Places does give a property prestige, provides protection from adverse effects in federally assisted projects, and provides eligibility for certain preservation financial incentives.

The State Historical Society of North Dakota, through its annual appropriation of Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) money from the National Park Service, is making $150,000 available to the public for use in the restoration, stabilization, and protection of historic and archaeological properties. This money can only be used on properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The granting of HPF money is a competitive process. Applications will be reviewed by a committee from the State Historical Society’s Archaeology and Historic Preservation Department and rated based on four major categories: quality of the application, need for the development work, impact on the historic preservation program, and the project’s compliance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

Learn more at eepurl.com/iTS0uE.

State Historical Society makes $150,000 available for restoration, preservation of historic property BISMARCK, N.D. –The State Historical Society of North Dakota, through its annual appropriation of Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) money from the National Park Service, is making $150,000 available to the public for use in the restoration, stabilization, and protection of historic and archaeologic...

𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 ’𝟵𝟬𝘀 𝗜𝘀 𝗔𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝗰𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

The 1990s are back in this edition of recent acquisitions. Settle in on your faux-leather beanbag chair, put your hair up in a scrunchie, and get ready to learn about some fly ’90s objects recently donated to the State Historical Society of North Dakota’s museum collection. Cue the Pearl Jam!

Read the full blog article at blog.statemuseum.nd.gov/dream-of-the-90s-is-alive-in-recent-acquisitions.

Dream of the ’90s Is Alive in Recent Acquisitions | State Historical Society of North Dakota Blog This blog takes you behind the scenes of the State Historical Society of North Dakota. Get a glimpse at a day-in-the-life of the staff, volunteers, and partners who make it all possible. Discover what it takes to preserve North Dakota's natural and cultural history.

Goodbye to Kyle as the site supervisor of Fort Totten State Historic Site, but hello to Kyle as the new site supervisor of the 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse State Historic Site!

Today we wish Kyle the best of luck on his new endeavor! He has been our Site Supervisor for the past eight years. Thank you Kyle for your wonderful leadership, guidance, and friendship. You will be greatly missed! The 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse is lucky to be gaining you as a Site Supervisor.

A large crowd watched and worked on speed boats along the shoreline of the Heart Butte Reservoir (Lake Tschida) during the Heart Butte Water Carnival and Boat Regatta held July 14 & 15, 1956.

📷 SHSND 10435-00123

Some of our staff visited the 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse State Historic Site today after our board meeting in Jamestown, and one decided to play judge.

Have you ever seen a cat taking a picture of a kitten? We hadn't either, but Nancy Hendrickson was able to make it happen. Happy !

📷 SHSND 10200-00020

Happy Independence Day! Did you know North Dakota’s history is specially linked to this holiday? On July 4, 1889, the men who assembled the original draft of our state’s constitution that established all our state’s laws met in Bismarck for the Constitutional Convention. There were 75 delegates who worked on the document, and it was handwritten in sections by several different clerks. Other members elected from outside the committee to work included a chaplain, a chief clerk, a sergeant at arms, and a watchman. The work was completed Aug. 17, 1889. Some—though not all—delegates signed it. The constitution was approved by voters Oct. 1, which is noted on North Dakota’s state seal. On Nov. 2, President Benjamin Harrison signed this state into being. The Fourth of July in 1889 must have been one of special excitement—it led to North Dakota being part of the United States!

Read the full blog article to find out four more interesting things about North Dakota’s Constitutional Convention.

Remembering July 4, 1889: The Constitutional Convention in North Dakota | State Historical Society of North Dakota Blog This blog takes you behind the scenes of the State Historical Society of North Dakota. Get a glimpse at a day-in-the-life of the staff, volunteers, and partners who make it all possible. Discover what it takes to preserve North Dakota's natural and cultural history.

July is packed with events at our state museums and historic sites! Here's a look at what's coming up this week. See our full listing at facebook.com/northdakotahistory/events.

𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟯
𝟭𝟬 𝗮.𝗺. Trailblazer Series: Paper Making | Lewis & Clark's Fort Mandan, Washburn
𝟭𝟬 𝗮.𝗺. Little Kids, Big World: Fireworks | North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum, Bismarck
𝟭𝟭 𝗮.𝗺. Junior Historians: Fireworks | North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum, Bismarck

𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟰
𝟵 𝗮.𝗺. Lemonade, Lawn Games, and Free Tower Day | Pembina State Museum, Pembina
𝗡𝗼𝗼𝗻 Watermelon and Music | Former Governors' Mansion State Historic Site, Bismarck
𝟭 𝗽.𝗺. Ice Cream and Fourth of July Poppers! | Camp Hancock State Historic Site, Bismarck

𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟲
𝟭𝟬 𝗮.𝗺. Blacksmith Demonstration | Welk Homestead State Historic Site, Strasburg
𝟭 𝗽.𝗺. Paint your own Matryoshka Doll | Welk Homestead State Historic Site, Strasburg
𝟮 𝗽.𝗺. Making Snow | Camp Hancock State Historic Site, Bismarck
𝟮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟯 𝗽.𝗺. Little Kids, Big World: Tall Towers | North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum, Bismarck

On June 20, 1957, a tornado hit Fargo, destroying many homes and businesses.

Fixing the Mold: Painting Models of Fur Trade-Era Rifles

The education team at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum is working to develop a fur trade program similar to the “Red River Rendezvous” interpretive program created at the Pembina State Museum. The Pembina program uses a pair of muskets that a former site supervisor at Fort Buford State Historic Site/Missouri Yellowstone Interpretive Center manufactured. He hand-carved a model and formed several silicone molds, which he tested before pouring the resin to create the rifles for Pembina.

I paint tiny, nerdy things. One of the side effects of this hobby is that people often mistakenly think that because I paint little plastic figures I can paint larger things as well. During my 12 years of painting, I have learned a lot of tips and tricks, but these do not always translate to larger items. Nevertheless, I volunteered to take on the task of fixing up and painting a couple of miscast test models for the ND Heritage Center program, which was a worthy challenge.

Read the full blog article at blog.statemuseum.nd.gov/painting-models-fur-trade-era-rifles.

Fixing the Mold: Painting Models of Fur Trade-Era Rifles | State Historical Society of North Dakota Blog This blog takes you behind the scenes of the State Historical Society of North Dakota. Get a glimpse at a day-in-the-life of the staff, volunteers, and partners who make it all possible. Discover what it takes to preserve North Dakota's natural and cultural history.

Looking for your next North Dakota shirt? Check out these prism dino fight tees! Order yours today at https://north-dakota-state-museum-store.shoplightspeed.com/search/prism+dino or stop by the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum to purchase it in person.

If you haven't seen 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘺: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘭𝘦𝘹 𝘙𝘰𝘴𝘴 yet, be sure to visit the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum between now and Sunday before it heads home.

It's the last week to see 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘺: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘭𝘦𝘹 𝘙𝘰𝘴𝘴! Check it out by Sunday, June 9, before it heads back to the Dunn Museum. You won't want to miss seeing this exhibition featuring over 50 framed original illustrations by Alex Ross, including Spider-Man, Captain America, Iron Man, Storm from the X-Men, the Avengers, Black Panther, and many more.

𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘺: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘭𝘦𝘹 𝘙𝘰𝘴𝘴 was developed by the Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County, www.dunnmuseum.org.

Why is Egypt in North Dakota?

One day while I was working at the State Archives, a patron approached the reference desk and asked me why Little Egypt Park, located in Williams County, was called Little Egypt? The person was interested in finding out why and how the park ended up with that name. I was intrigued myself, as I couldn’t think of any historical or geographical reasoning behind the name and set to work searching through various resources at the State Archives. This is what I found.

Little Egypt Park, located 30 miles south of Ray on Lake Sakakawea, features picnic areas, camping, and direct access to the lake so visitors can boat, fish, and swim at the park as well. In the late 1980s, plans were made to improve the park by creating a swimming area and bathhouse as well as upgraded picnic shelters and camping areas. And that’s all I was able to find.

Read the full blog article at blog.statemuseum.nd.gov/why-egypt-north-dakota.

Why is Egypt in North Dakota? | State Historical Society of North Dakota Blog This blog takes you behind the scenes of the State Historical Society of North Dakota. Get a glimpse at a day-in-the-life of the staff, volunteers, and partners who make it all possible. Discover what it takes to preserve North Dakota's natural and cultural history.

We love seeing our staff step up to help out at our other sites when needed!