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FOR RELEASE: June 11, 2008
CONTACT: Chelle Somsen, (605) 773-5521, Chelle.Somsen@state.sd.us
State Historical Society Web site features Capitol cornerstone anniversary
PIERRE, S.D. – To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone of the South Dakota State Capitol, the South Dakota State Historical Society-Archives has created a Web site with various events occurring at the cornerstone dedication.
The cornerstone of the State Capitol was laid at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 25, 1908, in Pierre. The cornerstone is a 4-foot cube of Ortonville granite. The stone rests at the southwest corner of the Capitol.
Visit the South Dakota State Historical Society’s Web site at www.sdhistory.org and click on the link for “Capitol Cornerstone Dedication – 1908” to read the events of the dedication.
Events featured on the Web site include the opening prayer of Grand Chaplain John Askin D. D., a content list of materials placed in the cornerstone, the Masonic rights performed by the Grand Lodge Masons of South Dakota, the introduction by Gov. Coe Crawford, and the main speech given by the Hon. Gen. W. H. H. Beadle.
A few of the items placed in the Capitol cornerstone include: coins of 1907, Capitol bills of 1905 and 1907, a Holy Bible, the history of the government of South Dakota, a brief history of South Dakota, the Ordinance of 1787; and a number of other items, including annual reports, governors’ messages, photos, negatives and newspapers.
The state of South Dakota will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the laying of the Capitol cornerstone in a ceremony on Friday, June 20.
The State Archives is located in the CulturalHeritageCenter in Pierre. The Archives is open Monday through Friday and the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For more information call (605) 773-3804 or e-mail archref@state.sd.us
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The South Dakota State Historical Society is a division of the Department of Tourism and State Development and strives to help the state meet the goals of the 2010 Initiative by enhancing history as a tool for economic development and cultural tourism. The society is headquartered at the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. The center houses the society’s world-class museum, the archives, and the historic preservation, publishing and administrative/development offices. Call (605) 773-3458 or visit www.sdhistory.org for more information. The society also has an archaeology office in Rapid City; call (605) 394-1936 for more information.