FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 17, 2025

CONTACT: Kevin Larsen, Media Coordinator, 605-773-6000, kevin.larsen@state.sd.us

Historic Doane Robinson Papers Now Digitized and Accessible Online

PIERRE, S.D- A historic collection of documents of the former secretary of the South Dakota State Historical Society, Doane Robinson, has been added to the South Dakota Digital Archives.

Jonah Leroy (Doane) Robinson (1856-1946) was secretary of the South Dakota State Historical Society and superintendent of the State Department of History from 1901 to 1926. The Doane Robinson Papers include both his official Department of History business as well as personal writings and correspondence. The papers address South Dakota history topics, as well as agriculture, art, education, geology, literature, religion, and the military. He corresponded with many notable figures of the time, including Calvin Coolidge, Badger Clark, H. Daniel Webster, and members of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union. Of note is the correspondence between Robinson and Gutzon Borglum about the construction of Mount Rushmore. Robinson was also a supporter of the temperance movement and advocated for Missouri River water projects.

Thanks to a generous donor, this collection of documents has been digitized and is now available to the public on the South Dakota Digital Archives at

https://sddigitalarchives.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15914coll8

“I am thrilled to see the Robinson Collection digitized, making these invaluable historical records more accessible to researchers, historians, and the public," said Catherine Forsch, CEO of the South Dakota Historical Society Foundation. "Preserving and sharing our history is essential, and I hope this contribution inspires others to support the digitization of additional collections in the South Dakota State Archives. Together, we can ensure that our rich heritage is available for generations to come."

Those interested in supporting the South Dakota Historical Society Foundation’s digitization efforts can contact them by calling (605) 773-6003 or through email at info@sdhsf.org.  For more information, contact the South Dakota State Historical Society’s State Archives at (605)773-3804 or visit history.sd.gov/archives.

About the South Dakota State Historical Society

The South Dakota State Historical Society is a division of the Department of Education. The State Historical Society, an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution since 2013, is headquartered in Pierre. For questions or memberships, call 605-773-3458 or visit https://history.sd.gov/ for more information. The society also has an archaeology office in Rapid City; call 605-394-1936 for more information.