Happenings @ the State Historical Society

Learn about the partnership's work in North Dakota.
Read articles from other issues of North Dakota History.

What better way to celebrate Women’s History Month than exploring the State Archives’ collections on prominent women with North Dakota connections. Records of journalists, pioneer settlers, trailblazers in the political history of the state, and woman's organizations are some of the records found in the collections. One of these women is Era Bell Thompson (pictured above), who grew up in Driscoll and later became an editor at Ebony magazine. The State Archives is a great resource for researching women’s history.

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Come and Relax with Painting and Wine

A new series of programs—Canvas, Cocktails, and Cookies—is set to spark creativity at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum. Join us for upcoming theme-inspired evenings featuring hands-on painting, a glass of wine, and cookies led by Kim Eslinger, North Dakota’s Gateway to Science gallery and exhibits director. All programs are from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and preregistration is required.

March 22 To the Moon, inspired by NASA's plans to return to the moon.
April 12 To Mars, inspired by NASA's recent Mars landing and exploration.
May 5 To the Depths of the Universe, inspired by NASA's recent launch of the James Webb Space Telescope looking into the depths of the universe.
June 28 Clothing, inspired by the Fashion & Function: North Dakota Style exhibit.

The archaeology lab in the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum is always buzzing with a variety of projects. Learn about some of the interesting artifacts that staff and volunteers have recently encountered from Deapolis Village and Alderin Creek in Mercer County near Stanton. Work is underway to rehouse the Alderin Creek artifacts in preparation for future study.

Check out this blog post to read more about artifacts in the Archaeology Lab.
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Last Chance to See Ancient Earth: Ceramic Endeavors by Brad Bachmeier Exhibition

The popular exhibit Ancient Earth: Ceramic Endeavors by Brad Bachmeier will close on March 23 at the ND Heritage Center & State Museum. Make time to see the work of Fargo ceramic artist Brad Bachmeier. View a selection of ceramic artwork that demonstrates his philosophical approach of “honoring humankind’s ancient and universal partnership with clay."

Plan to visit All is Grass and Clouds, Forever, an exhibit featuring illustrations by author and artist S.D. Nelson, opening March 25 at the ND Heritage Center & State Museum.

Visitors to the Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile State Historic Site near Cooperstown can ride an elevator 50 feet below ground to the Launch Control Center, stand atop a missile silo door, and see the buttons and keys used to launch a missile. During the Cold War, the U.S. military built sites across the northern Plains housing nuclear missiles ready to launch at a moment’s notice. This site preserves the Oscar-Zero Missile Alert Facility and the November-33 Launch Facility. Spring hours begin April 1: Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday, 1 p.m.-5 p.m., Mondays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Learn more and p lan your visit!

Time is Running Out to See the Sundogs and Sunflowers Exhibition at Pembina State Museum

The Sundogs and Sunflowers: Folklore and Folk Art of the Northern Great Plains exhibit at the Pembina State Museum will be closing April 24. Based on the award-winning book of the same name, the exhibit includes 20 unique pieces of folk art made by contemporary North Dakota artists and paired with stories, legends, and traditions of the prairie. This unique exhibit celebrates the rich folk heritage of the northern Great Plains.

Watch for Power of the People exhibit opening soon at Pembina State Museum.

March: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Pop-Up Interpretive Programs, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. ND Heritage Center & State Museum, Bismarck
March 17 Irish in Early Bismarck presented by Ann Vadnie, 7 p.m. Former Governors' Mansion State Historic Site, Bismarck
March 17 Confluence History Book Club. Join other history buffs for a discussion of this month's book, "The Ghost Map: The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic," by Steven Johnson. 7 p.m. Fort Buford State Historic Site near Williston
March 19 Historic Sewing, Textiles, and Projects, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Fort Buford State Historic Site near Williston
March 20 Historic Game Day at the Fort Buford Barracks, 2-4 p.m. Fort Buford State Historic Site near Williston
March 22 Canvas, Cocktails, and Cookies: To the Moon, 6:30-8:30 p.m. ND Heritage Center & State Museum, Bismarck
March 26 Little Kids, Big World: Spring Flowers, 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. ND Heritage Center & State Museum, Bismarck

April 2 Little Kids, Big World: Dinosaur Eggs, 2:30 and 3 p.m. ND Heritage Center & State Museum, Bismarck
April 3 Sensational Sunday: The Fargo Fire of 1893, presentation and book signing by Danielle Teigen, 2 p.m. ND Heritage Center & State Museum, Bismarck
April 9 Little Kids, Big World: It’s Springtime, 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. ND Heritage Center & State Museum, Bismarck
April 12 Canvas, Cocktails, and Cookies: To Mars, 6:30-8:30 p.m. ND Heritage Center & State Museum, Bismarck
April 16 Annual Harry Roberts Memorial Easter Egg Hunt, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Chimney Park, Medora
April 16 Little Kids, Big World: Time for an Egg Hunt, 2 p.m. ND Heritage Center & State Museum, Bismarck
April 23 Little Kids, Big World: Happy Birthday Earth, 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. ND Heritage Center & State Museum, Bismarck

Find information on these and other programs sponsored by the State Historical Society of North Dakota at history.nd.gov/events.