The 1967 move of the W. H. Over Museum to the Carnegie Building: Arne Larson and Bobby Penn

In 1967 the University of South Dakota (USD) library moved out of the Carnegie Building it occupied since 1911. An addition to the building doubled its capacity in 1940, but 25 years later it was too small to accommodate the increased needs of the students and faculty.  The building became home to a museum.  That summer the W. H. Over Dakotah Museum (now known as the W. H. Over Museum) collections were moved into the Carnegie building from the basement of Slagle Hall. At that time James Howard was director of the museum. In addition, Arne Larson was hired that year as professor of music, bringing with him a large collection of instruments.

The first picture depicts Howard and Larson standing in front of building holding hand drawn signs denoting the two organizations occupying the building: Arne Larson’s sign read “Shrine to Music”.  Howard’s sign read “W. H. Over Dakotah Museum”.

Another person occupying the building was the renowned artist and USD faculty member Oscar Howe who had a studio and later an art gallery in the building. One of Oscar Howe’s students was Robert (Bobby) Penn.  As a work-study student Penn drew illustrations for Museum News covers. This publication denoted items of interest associated with museum activities and information about personnel staffing the museum.  Penn is shown in the photograph below working on a museum illustration.

Thus, 1967 was a pivotal year for the Over Museum (founded as the University Museum in 1883) whose recent move into the Carnegie building gave it had more space for its exhibits and collections. Moreover, Larson’s influence in the Department of Music and on the collection and curation of musical instruments provided a seed for the future museum now known as the National Music Museum.  Finally, the artwork of Bobby Penn, an undergraduate student, was already having an impact in the art world and continues to do so today. 

Arne Larson on the right and James Howard on the left in front of the Carnegie building. USD Archives and Special Collections, Series 10, negative # 9964.6.

Bobby Penn. USD Archives and Special Collections, Series 10, negative # 9964.11.