Society Organization:  Director and SDSHS Board of Trustees

The South Dakota State Historical Society is a division within the Department of Tourism and Economic Development. In 2003, Governor M. Michael Rounds reorganized state government moving the State Historical Society from the Department of Education and Cultural Affairs to a new Department of Tourism and State Development.  The new department consists of the State Historical Society, the Governor's Office of Economic Development, the Office of Tourism, the Office of Tribal Government Relations, the South Dakota Arts Council, and the South Dakota Housing Development Authority. Richard Benda is the Department Secretary.

The State Historical Society was organized by the State Legislature in 1901. Today the Society operates in five program areas: archaeology, archives, historic preservation, museum, and research and publishing. With the exception of the Archaeological Research Center which is located in Rapid City, the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre is the headquarters of the State Historical Society's programs and administrative offices.  The Society also operates a microfilm unit at the Mike Durfee State Prison in Springfield, SD.

Jay D. Vogt of Pierre is director of the South Dakota State Historical Society.  Vogt came to work for the State Historical Society in 1987, serving in several capacities.  In 1996, he was appointed the State Historic Preservation Officer and put in charge of building an efficient and effective historic preservation program in Pierre after its move from Vermillion.  He was responsible for implementing the Deadwood Fund historic preservation grant program.  Vogt became deputy director of the Society in 1999 and took over the day-to-day operation of the organization. Vogt was part of the team that brought together several state agencies to form the new Department of Tourism and State Development.  As director of the State Historical Society, Vogt oversees the management of the five programs  and the administrative and development units.  He also serves as State Historic Preservation Officer. 

Originally from Mitchell, SD, Vogt is a graduate of Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD.  He and his wife, Elizabeth, have three sons, Gabriel, Joshua, and Zachary.  Vogt is currently President of the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers (NCSHPO) and as such serves on the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.

Jay D. Vogt  Director, SDSHS

SDSHS Board of Trustees

The South Dakota State Historical Society is governed by a twelve-member board of trustees. Six members are appointed by the Governor of the State of South Dakota, and six members are elected by the Society membership. The board also serves as the state review board for historic preservation purposes and includes an archaeologist, an architect, an architectural historian, an archivist, and a historian.