July 2, 9, 16, and 30: Family Fun Tuesdays – Deadwood History, Inc. (DHI) hosts a family friendly event on Tuesday afternoons during the summer. On July 2, enjoy Old West Bingo – Deadwood’s spin on traditional Bingo with a western theme and prizes. On July 9, join us for Build a Guzzler and discover the significance of water in our local wildlife habitat and how humans can contribute to conservation efforts. Photos from the Past will be featured on July 16 – join local archive and photography professionals Tia Stenson-Cunningham and Richard Carlson as they demonstrate a photographic process dating back to 1842 by creating images on light-sensitive paper and processed using water. On July 30, we will celebrate Plesiosaur Day! 95 million years ago dinosaurs and marine reptiles ruled the earth. Learn about a one-of-a-kind plesiosaur and then see it for yourself at the Adams Museum. These events take place at Deadwood Outlaw Square; 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.; these events are free.
July 10 – 12: CrAzy Art Camp – Art comes in many shapes and sizes. Welcome to CrAzy Art Camp where creativity knows no bounds and imagination takes flight. What sets CrAzy Art Camp apart is the unique focus on using a diverse assortment of materials, including used items, new supplies, and natural elements. Immerse yourself in nature and draw inspiration from the great outdoors during this three-day camp for children in grades 1-3. Days of ‘76 Museum; 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.; $40 for members and $45 for non-members. Reservations required. Call Deadwood History Education Director Tera Richards at 605-578-1657 for reservations.
July 15 – 19: Mad Music Camp – Campers will embark on an exciting, creative journey through the diverse realms of music, exploring various genres, styles, and instruments along the way. Throughout the week, students in grades 4-6 will learn about the rich diversity of musical expression and engage in hands-on activities and homemade instruments that ignite their passion for music. Days of ‘76 Museum; 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.; $50 for members and $55 for non-members. Reservations required. Call Deadwood History Education Director Tera Richards at 605-578-1657 for reservations.
July 19: History on the Lawn: Wakíŋyaŋ Pȟéta Thiwáhe Čhaŋgléška Wačhípi (The FireThunder Family Hoop Dance Presentation) – Alex and Camille FireThunder, along with their two sons and daughter, will present on the hoop dance, including its history and meaning amongst their family as well as among the Lakota/Dakota people. Alex will bring his drum and will be singing live for the rest of the family to dance to the heartbeat of the drum. When not dancing, the children will likely join him in singing both traditional and contemporary Lakota/Dakota songs. In addition to the hoop dance, they will share various aspects of Lakota/Dakota history, language, and culture with the aim of building bridges and strengthening human connections. Bring a lunch and enjoy the Historic Adams House lawn; 12:00 p.m.; 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).
July 19 and 20: Haunted Rooms America – On Friday, July 19 join Haunted Rooms America for an unforgettable ghost hunt at The Brothel Deadwood, where the Wild West underbelly comes to life. Dare to face the voices of the past in the very rooms where apparitions of former workers and their clientele have been seen and heard, from ghostly figures on the staircase to EVPs capturing conversations lost in time. Saturday, July 20 step back into the lawless era of Deadwood and brave the haunted halls of the Adams House, where the restless spirits of the Wild West linger, awaiting those daring enough to confront the town’s tumultuous history and its paranormal present. Join Haunted Rooms America for a real ghost hunt that promises to immerse you in the thrilling, eerie legacy of one of the most historically rich and paranormally active locations in the U.S. For more information, contact support@hauntedrooms.com.
August 13: Family Fun Tuesday: Hidden in the Midden – DHI will feature Hidden in the Midden on August 13. 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; 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.; this event is free.
August 16: History on the Lawn: The Hanging of Two Sticks in Deadwood – Philip Hall will discuss Two Sticks, an Ogalala Lakota Chief, who was the sole Native American executed for the murder of cowboys on February 4, 1893. On the morning of the killings at Halfway Camp, Philip Wells, the Boss Farmer for the White Clay District who was part Santee, personally led a small party to investigate the crime scene. During the arrest at No Water’s village, Two Sticks’ son, First Eagle, was killed. The evidence against Two Sticks was circumstantial, and unfortunately Two Sticks was executed on December 28, 1894, in Deadwood. 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 rain, the lecture will be moved to the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center (HARCC).
September 5: Preservation Thursday: Soapsuds Row – Archaeological investigations of the laundress quarters at old Fort Meade illustrate how one immigrant couple survived, thrived, and died on the western frontier. Remains of a log cabin and its contents and a nearby privy tell the story of Rose Courtney, adventurous Seventh Cavalry laundress. Some 6,000 artifacts from two week-long volunteer digs provide a snapshot of life on Soapsuds Row in 1907 from clothing to food to liquor consumption. The lecture will be presented by Linea Sundstrom, owner of Day Star Research in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center; 12:00 p.m.; free for members and $5 for non-members.
September 12: Deadwood History’s Big Thank You – Deadwood History, Inc. board of directors and staff would like to thank our members and sponsors 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 19, 20, and 21: The Wayward Women Tour – New York Times bestselling author Chris Enss will spend a long weekend in Deadwood. On Thursday, September 19, Enss will present author and film director L.J. Martin’s newly released western Mr. Pettigrew, a film she starred in, at the Days of ’76 Museum on September 19 at 6:00 p.m. The movie preview is free; donations are accepted. On Friday, September 20, Enss will be signing copies of her book, An Open Secret: The Story of Deadwood’s Most Notorious Bordellos as well as several of her other books from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at The Brothel Deadwood. Enss will also host five 30-minute presentations about the Pinkerton detective agents at 12:00, 1:00, 2:00, 4:00, and 5:00 p.m. at the Brothel. The Brothel will be $10 per person for the day. Stop by and meet Chris Enss and tour The Brothel. Snacks and a bourbon tasting at 3:00 p.m. will be a featured part of this event. Special drawings will be available to brothel visitors throughout the day. Enss will sign copies of her books at the Saloon No. 10 Mercantile on Saturday, September 21 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The events are open to the public.
