FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Oct. 28, 2014

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

State Historical Society to Host Smithsonian Sunday Program on Nov. 9

PIERRE, S.D. – The Museum of the South Dakota State Historical Society will host a special webcast of the Smithsonian Channel program entitled, “Aerial America: The Dakotas” at 2 p.m. CDT on Sunday, Nov. 9, at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre.

The program, in the center’s education room, is sponsored by the Smithsonian Channel and the Smithsonian Affiliations program. This program is part of Smithsonian Channel’s “Aerial America” series, featuring majestic panoramas of beautiful places, landmarks and historically important areas.  

In this installment of the series, attendees will soar above North Dakota and South Dakota, and explore the two states born from one great territory. From Mount Rushmore to Lewis and Clark, the film reveals the milestones, landmarks and notable figures that shaped the destinies of these breathtaking states.

“This is a very interesting program,” said Jay Smith, director of the museum. “It is always interesting to hear the perspective of others about the state and area we live in.  So soon after our 125th anniversary of statehood, it will be nice to look at both states from the view above the landscape.  ”

“Aerial America: The Dakotas” was originally broadcast in 2012.

There is no fee to view the program, but standard admission fees apply for visitors wanting to go into the museum galleries.

The State Historical Society became a Smithsonian Affiliate in January 2013, and it is the only affiliate in South Dakota. Since 2013, the museum has hosted a “Smithsonian Sunday” program on the second Sunday of each month.

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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 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 long-term collaborative partnerships with museums, educational and cultural organizations to enrich communities with Smithsonian resources. The long-term goal of Smithsonian Affiliations is to facilitate a two-way relationship among Affiliate organizations and the Smithsonian Institution to increase discovery and inspire lifelong learning in communities across America. More information about the Smithsonian Affiliations program and Affiliate activity is available at https://affiliations.si.edu.