CALENDAR OF EVENTS
July – September, 2023
July 11: Family Fun Tuesdays: The Case of the Ever Changing Elementary School – Deadwood History, Inc. (DHI) hosts a family friendly event on Tuesday afternoons during the summer. You can become a history detective when you help the T&S Detective Company in their hunt for clues about how Deadwood’s elementary school changed over the last 140 years. Using historic photographs, maps, documents, and the elementary school building, you will find concrete evidence to help the T&S Detective Company put together a record of the many changes. Deadwood Outlaw Square; 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; the event is free.
July 18: Family Fun Tuesdays: Raptor Center – Meet the avian ambassadors from the Black Hills Raptor Center. These birds of prey come in all sizes and are native to the beautiful state of South Dakota. Learn about area wildlife and the Raptor Center’s conservation efforts. Deadwood Outlaw Square; 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; the event is free.
July 21: History on the Lawn: Gabrielle Knife & Family: Keeping Culture Alive through Song & Dance – Gabrielle Knife will provide a brief family background as well as song and dance demonstrations that explore the different styles of popular dances within the Native American communities and Powwow circuit. Gabrielle will explain many of the historical backgrounds to the dances, where they originated, and how those styles differentiate and evolved into today. During the late 1800s, Native American ceremonial songs and dances were banned and outlawed. Many tribes and individuals were being showcased in “Wild West” shows and therefore utilized this opportunity to continue to carry on songs and dances. They did this as a way to stay connected to their beliefs and practices both legally and publicly. Over time these songs and dances evolved into contemporary social events (also called Powwows) which have allowed Native Americans to stay grounded in their identity. Bring a lunch and a chair and enjoy the Historic Adams House lawn; 12:00 p.m.; free for members and $5 for non-members. In case of inclement weather, the lecture will be moved to the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center (HARCC).
August 1: Family Fun Tuesdays: Deadwood’s History – Explore Deadwood’s history – everything from the legends of Deadwood to a 90 million year-old plesiosaur from the Adams Museum. See over 50 historic buggies, carriages, and wagons at the Days of ’76 Museum. Walk through the Historic Adams House and hear lively stories about two of Deadwood’s founding pioneer families. We will share the many opportunities that are available at these great museums, then go visit one or all of these locations to get in the Deadwood spirit! Deadwood Outlaw Square; 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; the event is free.
August 15 and 29: Family Fun Tuesdays: Hidden in the Midden – DHI will feature Hidden in the Midden on August 15 and 29. Learn what an archaeologist does and dig through a midden (an old garbage pile) to unearth a variety of artifacts that will help solve puzzling questions. Deadwood Outlaw Square; 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; these events are free.
August 18: History on the Lawn: Old West Showdown – There are always at least two sides to every story. Authors Kellen Cutsforth and Bill Markley have co-written two books covering ten controversial Old West stories: Will Rogers Medallion Award finalist Old West Showdown and its sequel Standoff at High Noon. For the first time, Cutsforth and Markley will debate in front of a live audience on such topics as: who was the real Calamity Jane and did Jack McCall kill Wild Bill Hickok for humiliating him over a card game or was he a paid assassin? Was the defeat of Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer at the Little Big Horn due to his miscalculations or did Captain Frederick Benteen disobey orders and was Major Marcus Reno drunk? If time permits, the dueling authors will cover topics that are covered in the books. The authors will have their books available for purchase. Bring a lunch and a chair and enjoy the Historic Adams House lawn; 12:00 p.m.; free for members and $5 for non-members. In case of inclement weather, the lecture will be moved to the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center (HARCC).
August 22: Family Fun Tuesdays: Deadwood’s Chinese Community – Nearly 200 Chinese people called Deadwood home from 1876 to the 1920s. Discover their culture and the many contributions they made to Deadwood. Learn what the Year of the Rabbit means for 2023, play games, and create a Chinese-themed rabbit lantern to take home. Deadwood Outlaw Square; 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; this event is free.
September 7: Deadwood History’s Big Thank You – Deadwood History, Inc. board of directors and staff would like to thank our members, sponsors, and volunteers for their support with a private appreciation party at the Adams Museum. Join us for a wine-tasting sponsored by A&B Business Solutions, entertainment by Connie Gunn, and hors d’oeuvres catered by Cheyenne Crossing. Adams Museum; 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Advance reservations appreciated. Please call 605-722-4800 for reservations.
September 7: The Marshals and Mayors of Deadwood, and Sheriffs of Lawrence County since 1876 by Bill Haas – Haas’ book offers accurate information about who served as mayors and as heads of law enforcement in Deadwood and Lawrence County since 1876. Many of these officials influenced the development of Deadwood and Lawrence Country. Adams Museum; 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; the book signing is free to attend.
September 14: Preservation Thursday: Black Hills Caves and the Karst Systems of the Black Hills – Karl Emanuel, a geologist with the Black Hills National Forest, will discuss caves and karst systems in the Black Hills. The Black Hills is host to two of the world’s largest and most complex cave systems, as well as hundreds of less extensive, but equally complex caves and karst systems. The origin and evolution of these systems will be discussed in layman’s terms along with recent advances in cave and karst research and how that work has clarified our understanding of the size and nature of these complex and hydrologically important systems. The importance of these conduits into our regional groundwater supply will also be discussed. Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center; 12:00 p.m.; free for members and $5 for non-members.
September 24: Busts at the Brothel – New York Times Best Selling author Chris Enss will be signing copies of her book, An Open Secret: The Story of Deadwood’s Most Notorious Bordellos from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at The Brothel Deadwood. Enss will also present Busts at the Brothel. These 30-minute presentations at 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. will highlight the raids and arrests during the time the brothels were operating in Deadwood. The event is free and open to the public. Donations are appreciated. Stop by to meet Chris Enss and tour The Brothel. Snacks and bottled water will be served. Special drawings will be available to brothel visitors throughout the day.
