State Historical Society of North Dakota

📚 Calling middle and high school social studies educators! The State Historical Society of North Dakota, in collaboration with the Montana Historical Society, invites grades 6–12 educators to a free, two-day professional development workshop titled “Evaluating Student Argumentation in Historical Research.” 📍 Where: Dickinson State University 📅 When: Thursday–Friday, March 16–17 Participants will explore strategies for strengthening student argumentation through thesis development, primary source analysis, and meaningful feedback. Educators will also gain hands-on experience by serving as judges for the western region National History Day contest. ✔️ Professional credit options available • North Dakota educators: 16 PD hours or one graduate credit (available for purchase) • Montana educators: 16 OPI renewal units • Lunch and a travel stipend included This workshop is sponsored in part by the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources – Great Plains Region, coordinated by the National Council for History Education. 🔗 Learn more and register by March 1 at https://lnkd.in/gZiUJ57w ⚠️ Space is limited Questions? Contact Madison Milbrath at shsprograms@nd.gov or 701.328.2794. #SHSND #NationalHistoryDay #Teaching

🏆 Celebrating Excellence Across SHSND 🏆 In addition to our 2025 Award of Excellence, we were proud to recognize several outstanding staff members and teams whose work strengthens our mission every day. 🔍 Excellence in Access to History Award Awarded to the North Dakota State Archives Reference Team — Sarah Walker, Daniel Sauerwein, and Ashley Thronson. This award honors those who exemplify a deep commitment to connecting present and future generations with North Dakota’s rich history. Sarah, Dan, and Ashley expertly assist researchers across the state and around the world, providing exceptional customer service and public engagement that reflects the highest standards of stewardship. 🤝 Excellence in Collaboration and Team Award Awarded to Public Information Officer Kara H.. This award recognizes exceptional teamwork and collaboration. Kara’s ability to build trust, connect colleagues and partners, and bring innovative ideas to life strengthens our agency and amplifies our shared goals. 🛡️ Excellence in Commitment to Preservation Award Awarded to New Media Specialist Adam Pfeifer. This award honors exceptional contributions to the preservation and protection of North Dakota’s history, ensuring our stories and collections remain accessible for generations to come. Please join us in congratulating these dedicated professionals for their outstanding work and well-deserved recognition! 👏📚 #SHSND #TeamND #PublicService #NorthDakotaHistory 

We're hiring an Education & Museums Program Manager to collaborate with a world-class team to design, implement, and manage innovative public programs, teacher workshops, history curriculum, and educational and exhibit initiatives that help empower people through history. 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 & 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 🔹Lead day-to-day and long-range planning for education and visitor experiences across agency venues resulting in growth of participation, community collaboration, and impact. 🔹Manage the education team and two historic site managers in visioning and offering impactful formal and informal audience engagement opportunities at our museums and historic sites across the state. 🔹Track attendance and impact of education programs and events to assess effectiveness and influence changes. 🔹Show proficiency in budget management, project management, and public speaking. 🔹Manage interpretive plan development for all historic sites and state museums. 🔹Develop innovative partnerships with community organizations, tribal nations, and public agencies for representation of multiple perspectives. 🔹Infuse educational programs into agency exhibits, outreach staff, and all departments. 🔹Write content for history curriculum, exhibits, articles, blogs, etc. as needed. 🔹Manage education budget, grants, and earned income opportunities. Learn more and apply at https://bit.ly/4c59u8L.

🧶 Calling all fiber artists! Bring your knitting, crochet, or favorite fiber craft project to the Former Governors’ Mansion State Historic Site for Fibers and Friends on Saturday, Feb. 14, from 1–4 p.m. Enjoy a cozy afternoon of creativity, conversation, and community in one of Bismarck’s most historic settings. Share tips, swap ideas, and show off your snazzy stitches while working alongside fellow makers. ☕ Coffee and cookies will be served 🎟️ Free and open to all ages (children must be accompanied by an adult) Questions? Contact Site Supervisor Johnathan Campbell at 701.328.9528 or shsfgm@nd.gov. #SHSND #FormerGovernorsMansion #FiberArts #NorthDakotaHistory

🧶✨ Try Your Hand at Dry Felting at Chateau de Morès ✨🧶 Looking for a creative winter activity in the Badlands? Join us at Chateau de Morès State Historic Site in Medora for a beginner-friendly dry felting workshop on Saturday, Feb. 14, from 2–4 p.m. MT. This free, hands-on workshop is open to ages 10 and up and is a great introduction to the art of dry felting. You’ll learn basic techniques using a felting needle, wool roving, and a cookie cutter—and leave with your own felted creation to take home. All materials are provided. 📩 Questions? Contact Site Supervisor Keshna DeJesus at shschateau@nd.gov or 701.623.4355.

🏗️ Progress is rising at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum! 🚧 Construction is well underway on the addition to the Heritage Center and State Museum. After months of excavation, demolition, site preparation, and concrete work, the project has entered an exciting new phase. Over the past two weeks, cranes, rigging crews, and contractors have begun installing the prefabricated portions of the building — and the outline of the new addition is now taking shape in the Bismarck skyline. We want to recognize the work of Zerr Berg Architects and Kraus-Anderson, who are helping bring this vision to life. We invite you to follow along as this important project continues to unfold. Watching the transformation is truly fascinating: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gDcdimbZ #NorthDakotaHistory #SHSND #TeamND #MuseumExpansion

🎉 Please join us in congratulating Deputy State Archivist Lindsay Meidinger, recipient of the State Historical Society of North Dakota's Award of Excellence! 🎉 This award is our agency’s highest honor, recognizing outstanding service and dedication — and Lindsay truly exemplifies what it represents. Her passion for North Dakota history, commitment to public service, and leadership in action make a lasting impact across our organization. A generous collaborator, thoughtful problem solver, and tireless advocate for our mission, Lindsay brings clarity, energy, and heart to everything she does. This recognition is so well deserved. Join us in celebrating Lindsay and thanking her for the incredible work she does every day! 👏 #TeamND #NorthDakotaHistory

Finding Theodore Roosevelt’s Cattle Brand Registrations Future President Theodore Roosevelt’s brief time in North Dakota shaped him and our state in numerous ways. The area where he established his ranching operation is now home to the state’s premier tourist destination, Medora, site of the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library opening this summer and the gateway to the national park that bears his name. A research request for his cattle brand registrations helped North Dakota State Archives staff locate a piece of Roosevelt’s legacy in North Dakota and better understand and navigate a collection that is popular with researchers. Read Reference Specialist Daniel Sauerwein's full blog article at: https://lnkd.in/gJSt7nGy

📖 Step back in time with Sarah Boley Discover the story of Sarah Boley, a homesteader who settled in the Mandan area around 1877–1878, and explore the journals she kept during her early years on the prairie. These firsthand accounts are now part of the North Dakota State Archives collection, offering a unique window into life on the frontier. Watch Sarah Walker, Head of Reference Services, as she shares insights from Boley’s journals in our latest Our Heritage video: ▶️ Watch here: https://lnkd.in/g_EVP9yj #NorthDakotaHistory #Homesteading #OurHeritage #StateArchives

🥌 Try North Dakota’s official state sport — indoors! Join us at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum for a two-day indoor curling experience on Saturday, Feb. 7, and Sunday, Feb. 8, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. With all the excitement of curling — and none of the cold — indoor curling mats will be set up in the Northern Lights Atrium, giving visitors a fun, self-paced opportunity to learn and play. The event also aligns with opening weekend of the Winter Olympics, making it the perfect time to explore this iconic winter sport. This program is part of ND250, commemorating the United States’ 250th birthday, and Vinterfest, a regional celebration of winter on the northern Plains. Questions? Contact Education Outreach Supervisor Madison Milbrath at shsprograms@nd.gov or 701.328.2794.