FOR RELEASE: Sept. 5, 2014

CONTACT: Jeff Mammenga, Media Coordinator, (605) 773-6000. Jeff.Mammenga@state.sd.us                                             

Cultural Heritage Center to Join Smithsonian Magazine in

10th Annual “Museum Day Live!” Event on Sept. 27

PIERRE, S.D. -- The holidays come early at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre!

On Saturday, Sept. 27, all visitors will be welcomed free of charge courtesy of Smithsonian Magazine.  This is the 10th anniversary of the “Museum Day Live!” event across the nation and the second for the Museum of the South Dakota State Historical Society since it became a Smithsonian Affiliate in January of 2013.

Inclusive by design, the event represents the Smithsonian’s commitment to make learning and the spread of knowledge accessible to everyone, giving museums across all 50 states the opportunity to provide free admission to patrons similar to the admissions policy of Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C. Last year’s event drew over 400,000 visitors, and 2014 promises to be even bigger.  

“We are delighted to participate in this program with our partners at the Smithsonian and many other museums around the nation,” commented Jay Smith, museum director.  “Free tickets to amazing places around the country courtesy of the Smithsonian are a great way to spend a Saturday with friends and family.” 

To obtain free tickets to the museum, visitors merely need to visit the following website, fill out a short form, and they will receive free tickets to the Cultural Heritage Center and other participating institutions: www.smithsonian.com/museumdaylive.

Smithsonian “Museum Day Live!” tickets are valid only on Sept. 27.

Museums around the nation are participating in the Museum Day Live! program on Sept. 27. To view the list of participating institutions around the nation, go to: www.smithsonian.com/museum venues.

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About the South Dakota State Historical Society

The South Dakota State Historical Society is a division of the Department of Tourism. The Department of Tourism is comprised of Tourism, the South Dakota Arts Council and the State Historical Society. The Department is led by Secretary James D. Hagen. The State Historical Society, an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, 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.history.sd.gov for more information. The society also has an archaeology office in Rapid City; call (605) 394-1936 for more information.  

About Smithsonian Affiliations

Established in 1996, Smithsonian Affiliations is a national outreach program that develops collaborative partnerships with museums and educational and cultural organizations to share Smithsonian Institution resources with Americans in their own communities. Smithsonian Affiliations works with affiliates to enrich communities with Smithsonian scholars, public programs, and professional development opportunities. More information about the Smithsonian Affiliations program and a list of current affiliates are available at www.affiliations.si.edu.