FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  July 27, 2007
CONTACT:  Jay D. Vogt, (605) 773-3458, Jay.Vogt@state.sd.us

State Historical Society receives Preserve America grant

PIERRE, SD -- The South Dakota State Historical Society’s State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has received a Preserve America grant for $83,776 to develop a heritage tourism project in the Pierre area.

The grant is a matching grant with a $50,000 donation from the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad and the rest from state funds.

The Central South Dakota Heritage Tourism Education Program is a two year project. The goal of the project is to develop and implement an interpretive and educational plan for heritage tourism resources, focusing on the region around Pierre. Objectives include:

      1) preparation and adoption of preservation plans for Pierre and Fort Pierre,

      2) designation of eligible communities in the area as Preserve America Communities,

      3) development of interpretation for historic sites within the region,

      4) implementation of interpretive planning to include signage, brochures, information kiosks, and driving and walking tours,

      5) development of travel itineraries for individuals and tour groups in both paper and web-based formats, and

      6) development of educational tools for both private organizations and the general public to use to promote history, the value of history and the use of history as an economic tool. 

Jay D. Vogt, director of the State Historical Society, noted that the grant is the first for heritage tourism awarded to South Dakota.

“The interpretive plan and its implementation will serve to educate the general public about the local historic sites in the region and will allow for promotion of the Pierre area as a heritage tourism attraction with a partnership between public and private interests,” Vogt said. “The education tools developed will not only allow for instruction about historic resources in this region but will assist other communities in explaining the value of historic preservation and heritage tourism to elected officials, private individuals and business owners.”

Kevin Schieffer, President and CEO of the DM&E, noted the important role railroads have played in the history and will have in the future of South Dakota.

“Railroads have played a critical role in founding communities in the past and sustaining economic opportunities today. This project will help keep that history alive for the people of Pierre and Fort Pierre, as well as help attract visitors for tomorrow,” Schieffer said. “We’re proud to continue to be a part of the local economy and culture, and to help tell that story through this collaborative project. Congratulations to the State Historical Society and to Pierre and Fort Pierre for their leadership in making this possible.”

Gov. Mike Rounds said the grant will help preserve South Dakota history for future generations.

"We're very proud of our history and this grant will help make sure future generations from our state and around the world can learn about the South Dakota of yesterday while visiting here today,” Rounds said. “This money will not only revive the stories of historic sites, it will also preserve pieces of the past we still have before they're gone forever."

Aberdeen, Brookings, Lead and Vermillion have already been designated as Preserve America Communities in South Dakota.

The SHPO grant is one of 43 totaling about $2.6 million in the first round of the 2007 Preserve America Grants. Preserve America is an interagency federal initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy our nation’s priceless cultural and natural heritage. First Lady Laura Bush is the honorary chair of Preserve America.

Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, D-S.D., accepted the award for the State Historic Preservation Office from Mrs. Bush at a July 12 ceremony in Washington, D.C.

“South Dakota’s rich history is part of our cultural identity and the quality of life we hold dear,” Herseth Sandlin said. “That’s why projects like the Central South Dakota Heritage Tourism Education Program are important as a way to stay connected with our past and promote heritage tourism in the Pierre area.”

United States Senators Tim Johnson and John Thune also offered their congratulations.

“I congratulate the State Historic Preservation Office in their effort to win a Preserve America grant,” said Johnson, D-S.D. “This grant will be used to develop ways to highlight Central South Dakota’s heritage, as well as explain and preserve the history of the area. I will continue to support adequate funding for federal programs like Preserve America, which promote appreciation for South Dakota’s rich history while encouraging visitors to travel to the state.” 

"Being awarded this grant is a great honor for the State Historic Preservation Office," said Thune, R-S.D. "These grant programs are highly competitive and show that the work being done to preserve South Dakota's rich history is some of the best in the nation. This money will assist greatly in the promotion and education of the history of central South Dakota now and for years to come. It is important that we preserve and share our past with residents and visitors alike."