April 9: Preservation Thursday: Battle of the Greasy Grass (Little Big Horn) – This presentation by author and historian Donovin Sprague commemorates the 150th anniversary of the June 25–26, 1876, Battle of the Greasy Grass, also known as the Battle of the Little Big Horn, with an in-depth overview of the events leading up to the conflict, the battle itself, and its aftermath. Through photographs and unfolding maps, the program highlights the participants, with special attention to Native perspectives and the lasting importance of the event in Lakota history. The presentation concludes with a discussion of the final battle encampments and current developments at Little Bighorn National Monument. Donovin Sprague is a direct descendant of several individuals who fought in the battle, including High Backbone (Hump) and Crazy Horse, offering a personal and historically grounded perspective. Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center; 12:00 p.m.; free for members and $5 for non-members.
April 11: Tunnel Book Youth Workshop – Young creators are invited to step into history with a hands-on art and history workshop celebrating Deadwood’s 150th anniversary. Participants will create their own Deadwood-themed tunnel book, a layered paper artwork that brings the town’s past to life through illustration, storytelling, and design. This special anniversary program offers a memorable way for youth in grades K-6 to commemorate Deadwood’s 150 years through creativity and interactive learning. Light refreshments will be served. Days of ’76 Museum; 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The program is free, but reservations are required. Call Education Director Tera Richards at 605-578-1657 for reservations or questions about the program.
April 25: Patsy’s Day – Support our furry friends at Patsy’s Day, our annual celebration honoring Patsy, the beloved terrier of William Emery (W.E.) Adams. In the spirit of giving back, guests who donate a pet product or a cash donation for the Twin City Animal Shelter will receive free admission to the Historic Adams House on April 25. Join us in celebrating Patsy while helping animals in need! Guided tours are hourly; the first tour leaving at 10:00 a.m. and the last tour of the day at 4:00 p.m. Photos of cats and dogs available for adoption will be on display. For more information, please call 605-578-3724.
May 7: Preservation Thursday: FLOATING HORSES: THE LIFE OF CASEY TIBBS – Join us for a screening of the documentary FLOATING HORSES: THE LIFE OF CASEY TIBBS by filmmaker Justin Koehler. Explore the remarkable life of rodeo legend Casey Tibbs, a cowboy who became a national icon in the 1950s. The film traces Tibbs’ rags-to-riches journey, from leaving home at age 13 to pursue rodeo against his father’s wishes to rising as a nine-time world champion after developing his groundbreaking spurring style. Like the wild broncs he rode, Tibbs’ life was marked by dazzling triumphs and difficult setbacks, capturing the spirit of a man whose revolutionary talent and flamboyant personality reshaped modern rodeo. Tibbs’ story is both an intimate portrait and a vivid chapter of American Western history. Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center; 12:00 p.m.; free for members and $5 for non-members.
May 9: Mother’s Day Gift Youth Workshop – Join us for a creative Saturday, making a special craft just in time for Mother’s Day. Students in grades K-6 will assemble a thoughtful craft and card surprise perfect for celebrating the mothers or mother figures in our lives. Snacks included! Days of ’76 Museum; 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. The program is free, but reservations are required. Call Education Director Tera Richards at 605-578-1657 for reservations or questions about the program.
May 10: Mother’s Day Tours – Celebrate Mother’s Day with a special treat for Mom: free admission to the Historic Adams House and the Days of ’76 Museum. Enjoy a tour of the restored Queen Anne-style home, then explore vintage wagons, carriages, and stagecoaches from 1875–1910. The Historic Adams House is open 9 a.m.to 4 p.m., and the Days of ’76 Museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please call 605-578-3724 or 605-578-1657 for more information.
May 20 – 23: Women Who Refuse to Behave with author Chris Enss and filmmaker Justin Koehler – As part of Deadwood’s 150th Anniversary Celebration, award-winning author Chris Enss, who presents in full period costume, brings the stories of bold, unconventional women of the West to town for four days of presentations, performances, and book signings. May 20 features a special program for children and adults at the Deadwood Library at 4:00 p.m. highlighting trailblazing women physicians and teachers who defied expectations and shaped frontier communities. The program continues on May 21 with a special presentation at the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center at 12:00 p.m. Enss will discuss her book The Widowed Ones: Beyond the Battle of the Little Bighorn, an intimate look at the seven wives of U.S. Army officers killed at the battle. The presentation explores their shared grief, financial hardships, and the resilience that helped them rebuild their lives. Events continue May 22 when Enss appears in costume as Dora DuFran to commemorate the historic 1980 “Save Our Tail” parade, an impromptu procession that followed the closure of Deadwood’s brothels. The parade begins at 1:00 p.m. on Main Street. At 2:30 p.m., filmmaker Justin Koehler will screen his film Nita: Hotbed in Deadwood in the Eagle Bar beneath The Brothel Deadwood. A discussion with the filmmaker will follow. The series concludes May 23. Enss will host book signings from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Brothel Deadwood, featuring Wicked Women, An Open Secret: The Story of Deadwood’s Most Notorious Bordellos, and other titles. She will also present talks on Wicked Women and An Open Secret at 12:00, 2:00, and 4:00 p.m., and will deal Faro for book prizes throughout the afternoon. Brothel tours will be offered for $12 per person. Celebrate the fierce, complicated, and unforgettable women of the American West alongside one of its leading storytellers.
June 1 – 4: STEAM Little Learner Camp: Little learners will explore, create, and discover at this hands-on STEAM camp! Campers entering grades 1-3 can expect to experiment with science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Students will utilize the newly opened Makerspace while also engaging with the environment and nature with fun outdoor challenges. Days of ’76 Museum; 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; $55 plus tax for members and $60 for non-members plus tax. A 50% advance deposit is required for registration. Space is limited and reservations are required. Scholarships are available. Call Education Director Tera Richards at 605-578-1657 for reservations or questions about the program.
June 2, 9, 23 & 30: Family Fun Tuesdays — Where Young Explorers Discover the Past! Deadwood History, Inc. (DHI) hosts free, family-friendly youth programs on Tuesday afternoons this summer at Outlaw Square. Kids can dig, discover, and uncover history through hands-on adventures designed to spark curiosity and fun. June 2: Hidden in the Midden asks the question: what can trash tell us about the past? Young participants become junior archaeologists as they dig through simulated midden sites to uncover clues left behind by past residents of the Pine Heights neighborhood. June 9: Wild West Bingo is Deadwood’s frontier-themed spin on the classic game, complete with prizes and a big “yeehaw!” June 23: Hides, Horns & Hooves invites families to explore Black Hills wildlife by examining real hides, horns, antlers, and tracks while learning how native animals live and survive. June 30: Nature Rubbings, where children grab crayons and head out to create art inspired by the natural world. Join us from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. for these exciting summer adventures!
June 15 – 18: STEAM Camp: Students are invited to think bigger and create boldly at this summer’s STEAM camp. Designed for students entering grades 4-6, this hands-on camp brings Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math to life through engaging projects and real-world challenges. This camp will utilize the new Makerspace while also exploring nature and environmental conservation outdoors. Days of ’76 Museum; 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; $55 plus tax for members and $60 for non-members plus tax. A 50% advance deposit is required for registration. Space is limited and reservations are required. Scholarships are available. Call Education Director Tera Richards at 605-578-1657 for reservations or questions about the program.
June 18: Northern Hills Community Band Concert – Break out the red, white, and blue for an evening with the Northern Hills Community Band. Enjoy lively patriotic favorites, stirring marches, and beloved show tunes performed on the lawn of the Historic Adams House. The concert begins at 7:00 p.m., with admission by donation. In case of inclement weather, the performance will move to the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center (HARCC).
June 19: History on the Lawn: The Summer of 1876 – Author Chris Wimmer presents his book The Summer of 1876, charting Deadwood’s first six months and placing its early history in the context of the remarkable events shaping the nation at the same time. A book signing will follow the presentation. Bring a lunch and enjoy the Historic Adams House lawn; 12:00 noon; free for members and $5 for non-members. In case of rain, the lecture will be moved to the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center (HARCC).
June 21: Father’s Day Admission – Celebrate Father’s Day during Wild Bill Days weekend with a gift of history. Visiting dads receive free admission to the Days of ’76 Museum and the Historic Adams House. Treat Dad to a day exploring the rich stories of Deadwood and the Black Hills. The Days of ’76 Museum is open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Historic Adams House is open 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please call 605-578-1657 or 605-578-3724 for more information
