South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum Records

Identity elements

Reference code

SDSU-Archives UA 039

Level of description

Records

Title

South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum Records

Date(s)

  • 1978-2024 (Creation)

Extent

0.84 linear feet (2 document cases)

Name of creator

Administrative history

The South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum was established in 1967 by South Dakota State University (SDSU). From 1975 to 1995, it operated as a program of the South Dakota State Historical Society. In April 1995, the museum was reaffiliated with SDSU and now reports directly to the Vice President for Administration.

The museum is dedicated to preserving, studying, and interpreting materials related to South Dakota agriculture and rural life from 1860 to the present. Its scope includes agricultural technologies, crops, livestock, and the social, cultural, and institutional aspects that have influenced and been influenced by the state’s rural environment. The museum’s permanent and part-time staff carry out key museum functions, including collecting, restoring and preserving, researching, exhibiting, and interpreting items relevant to its mission.

Content and structure elements

Scope and content

This collection documents the programming, outreach, publications, and interpretive efforts of the South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum. Materials date primarily from the late 20th and early 21st centuries and include annual reports, marketing materials, newsletters, exhibit documentation, event programs, workshop materials, and promotional items. The records reflect the museum’s mission to preserve and interpret the history of agriculture and rural life in South Dakota from 1860 to the present.

Included are brochures, flyers, calendars, postcards, and posters related to museum events and exhibits. Exhibits represented in the records include: Dreams Fulfilled and Dreams Forgotten, Groundbreakers, Between Fences, South Dakota Made, FarmHER South Dakota, and several others focusing on agricultural science, machinery, and rural culture. Programs and lectures include the Brown Bag Series, the N.E. Hansen Lecture Series, author events, historical presentations, musical performances, and hands-on workshops such as homebrewing, Dutch oven cooking, scrapbooking, and embroidery preservation.

A variety of outreach efforts are also documented, including direct mail campaigns, community events, holiday promotions, and museum store marketing. Newsletters from both the museum and the Friends of the Museum group offer insight into ongoing operations, donor engagement, and institutional developments. Unique artifacts such as souvenir books, trade cards, historical postcards, and commemorative publications further support the museum’s mission to preserve agricultural heritage.

These records are a resource for their detailed documentation of public history efforts relating to South Dakota agriculture, material culture, and rural life. They provide insight into how a university-affiliated museum engages with diverse audiences through exhibitions, educational programming, publications, and outreach. The collection also reflects broader themes in public history, museology, and rural studies.

System of arrangement

Conditions of access and use elements

Conditions governing access

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In Copyright This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Materials in this collection may be subject to Title 17, Section 108 of the United States Copyright Act. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with copyright, privacy, trademark, and other applicable rights for their intended use. Obtaining all necessary permissions is the user's responsibility. Written authorization from the copyright and/or other rights holders is required for publication, distribution, or any use of protected materials beyond what is permitted under fair use. .sdstate.edu/sdsu-archives-and-special-collections/researcher-registration-form)

The collection is open for research, but please note that the materials in the Archives do not circulate and can only be used In the SDSU Archives and Special Collections Reading Room.

Please contact us in advance so we can prepare for your visit.

If you cannot visit the Archives in person, please reach out to us. We will do our best to help you find the information you need.

In most cases, the materials in this collection have not been digitized and are not available online.

South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections supports access to the materials in its collections. However, access to some items may be restricted due to their fragile condition, donor agreements, or other considerations.

If you would like to know more about the contents of the collection, please contact the SDSU Archives at: Telephone: 605-688-5094 Email: arcrefs@sdstate.edu

Physical access

Technical access

Conditions governing reproduction

Reproduction of materials from the collection is subject to the following conditions:

  • Permission: Written permission must be obtained from the SDSU Archives for any reproduction, publication, or quotation of materials.
  • Copyright: Users are responsible for complying with copyright laws and securing any necessary permissions from copyright holders.
  • Fragile Materials: Some items may not be reproduced due to their fragile condition.
  • Charges: Reproduction charges may apply, and users will be informed of any costs in advance.
  • Acknowledgment: Any reproduced material must include proper acknowledgment of the South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections as the source.

    For more information or to request permission, please contact the SDSU Archives.

Languages of the material

  • English

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    Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information

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    Notes element

    General note

    Copyright and Use Statement

    In Copyright This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

    Materials in this collection may be subject to Title 17, Section 108 of the United States Copyright Act. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with copyright, privacy, trademark, and other applicable rights for their intended use. Obtaining all necessary permissions is the user's responsibility. Written authorization from the copyright and/or other rights holders is required for publication, distribution, or any use of protected materials beyond what is permitted under fair use.

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