South Dakota Centennial Celebration: 1889-1989

In an article published in South Dakota History on December 27, 1989, Governor George S. Mickelson reflected on the first hundred years of South Dakota as a State. Governor Mickelson remarked that President Benjamin Harrison signed proclamations in 1889 forming four states: South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, and Washington. To commemorate the 100th birthday of South Dakota, the South Dakota Centennial Commission created a vision for grass roots, volunteer-directed groups of people throughout South Dakota to celebrate the legacy and heritage of South Dakotan’s achievements. In 1989 hundreds of activities took place in all communities across the state. The Commission’s bimonthly journal, the Centennial Sentinel, enabled readers to appreciate the variety of hundreds of events from trail rides, parades, pioneer reenactments dances, to art exhibits from July 1987 to October/November 1989 when the centennial concluded. At the University of South Dakota (USD), two major exhibits in the Fine Arts Gallery contributed to the centennial celebration. According to the description in the Gallery activities summary of 1988-1989 exhibitions the first exhibit “The Missouri River Centennial Exhibition” extolled the importance of the Missouri River running through of the seven states: North and South Dakota, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, and Kansas. The exhibit included historical paintings, drawings, and contemporary art by artists from these states. The University Art Galleries and the Dahl Arts Center in Rapid City cosponsored this exhibition. Photograph of the entrance to the Missouri River Exhibition. USD Photograph Collection, Series 10, 13,5135.1. The Heritage Center at the Red Cloud Indian School, Pine Ridge, with support by the South Dakota Arts Council, promoted the second traveling statewide exhibit “Lakota Arts Continuum: One Hundred Years of the Oglala and Their Relatives.” The magnificent art pieces displayed represented “historical, transitional, and contemporary periods” of the Oglala people. Below is an image from the exhibit (USD Photographs, Series 10, 13,503.2). Both exhibits as well as the hundreds of local and statewide activities celebrated the one hundred years of South Dakota’s existence. As Governor Mickelson stated, the people, the weather, and the geography shaped development of South Dakota. He concluded his paper with the following: “Vision provides the goal. Wisdom and integrity provide the strategy. Courage, cooperation, and perseverance lead us to success. And flexibility will enable us to adapt to rapid change.” The South Dakota Centennial Logo. (South Dakota Centennial Commission. The Centennial Finale Program. Centennial Commission, 1990). References: Governor George S. Mickelson. South Dakota's First Century: Legacies Past and Future. South Dakota History. Volume 19, no 4, Dec. 27, 1989, pages 556-578. https://www.sdhspress.com/journal/south-dakota-history-19-4/south-dakotas-first-century-legacies-past-and-future/vol-19-no-4-south-dakotas-first-century.pdf South Dakota Centennial Commission. Centennial Sentinel. South Dakota State Centennial Office, Pierre, SD.1987-1989. Exhibit announcements:Subseries 1: By Year, 1989, Box: 01, Folder: 11. Fine Arts, Art, Exhibition Posters and Announcements, Temp-USD-001. USD Archives and Special Collections.