State Historical Society of North Dakota

Our partners at the State Historical Society of North Dakota Foundation are celebrating with the latest issue of North Dakota History: Journal of the Northern Plains! Each edition explores the people, places, and events that have shaped North Dakota and the Northern Plains — preserving and sharing the stories that define our region. Foundation members automatically receive subscriptions to all State Historical Society publications, including North Dakota History. Learn more or become a member here: https://lnkd.in/gKMEngis Want to explore the past? You can also purchase previous journal editions here: https://lnkd.in/g7Pbjr4b Thank you to the Foundation for helping us share and celebrate North Dakota’s rich history! #NorthDakotaHistory #PreserveND #DiscoverND #History

🦴 Celebrate National Fossil Day at the Confluence! Join us at the Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center near Williston on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 1 p.m. for a special Confluence Learning Lab celebrating National Fossil Day! This free, family-friendly program invites visitors of all ages to explore the region’s ancient past through hands-on discovery: 🔍 Handle real and replica fossils from the Confluence collection. 🌊 Learn about the area’s fascinating geologic history—from inland seas to Ice Age glaciers. 🪨 Create your own take-home cast fossil to remember your experience! 📍 Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center Located near Williston, ND Open Tuesday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (Closed Sunday–Monday) Come celebrate the wonders of North Dakota’s prehistoric past! 🦕✨ For more information, contact Site Supervisor Cheyenne Teal, [email protected] or 701.572.9034. #NationalFossilDay #Paleontology #NorthDakotaHistory #FamilyFun #STEMLearning #TeamND

👻 Step into history and mystery at the Chateau de Morès! This October, experience the darker side of Medora’s past during the Chateau Lantern Tours at the Chateau de Morès State Historic Site. Guided only by lantern light, you’ll explore the main level of the historic home and hear eerie tales of apparitions, ghost lights, and strange happenings from centuries past. 🕯️ Tour Dates & Times: October 24, 25, 31, and November 1 Tours begin at 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30 p.m. (MT) 🎟️ Tickets: $10 for ages 16+ | $5 for ages 6–15 | Free for ages 5 and under Tickets are limited — reserve yours now at https://lnkd.in/gYfGp2SE While nothing will jump out to frighten you, the flicker of a lantern might just make you wonder what’s around the next corner… 📍 Chateau de Morès State Historic Site, Medora For more information, contact Site Supervisor Keshna DeJesus, [email protected] or 701.623.4355. #ChateauDeMores #MedoraND #NorthDakotaHistory #LanternTours #HistoricSites #HalloweenEvents #TeamND #ExploreND

In late September, staff at the Chateau de Morès State Historic Site had the pleasure of welcoming the cast and crew of INSP’s television series “Elkhorn” as they celebrated the premiere of the show’s second season in Medora. The visit offered a special connection between history and storytelling, as “Elkhorn” draws inspiration from the life and experiences of Theodore Roosevelt during his time in the Badlands. Chateau staff especially enjoyed working with Jeff DuJardin, who portrays the Marquis de Morès, and Ashton Solecki, who plays Medora, during their time on site. It was a wonderful opportunity to share the real history behind the people and places that continue to inspire stories of life in Dakota Territory.

🏛️ Historic Recognition for Petersburg Auditorium! We’re excited to share that the Petersburg Auditorium in Nelson County, North Dakota, has been officially listed in the National Register of Historic Places! Built in 1934 with funding from the Public Works Administration, this iconic building is a standout example of PWA Art Moderne architecture. Beyond its striking design, the auditorium holds a special place in our state’s social history, having hosted school programs, athletic events, community gatherings, and even movies—especially during the challenging years of the Great Depression. Being listed on the National Register doesn’t limit property owners—it’s about recognition, prestige, and preservation opportunities. The designation can help protect the building from impacts during federally funded projects and makes it eligible for certain preservation incentives. 📞 For more details, contact the State Historic Preservation Office at 701.328.2089. #HistoricPreservation #NorthDakota #CommunityHeritage #Architecture #NationalRegisterOfHistoricPlaces

🦴🔍 Can you crack the case? Join us for a week of mystery with a touch of history during “Mystery at the Museum: Fossil Heist” — happening Oct. 25–Nov. 1 at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum in Bismarck! This free, self-paced adventure lets visitors become detectives for the day. 🕵️♀️ Pick up your clue sheet at the front desk, explore the galleries to uncover hidden evidence, and piece together the clues to solve the Fossil Heist! Once you’ve named your suspect, turn in your detective sheet to see if you got it right — and earn your certificate of success! 📍 When: Oct. 25–Nov. 1 📍 Where: ND Heritage Center & State Museum 🕓 Hours: Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. | Sat–Sun, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. 💰 Cost: Free, no reservations required For more information, contact Madison Milbrath, Education Outreach Supervisor, at [email protected] or 701.328.2794. Come for the history — stay for the mystery! 🦴✨ #MuseumFun #FossilHeist #FamilyActivities

We’re grateful for the partnership and support of the State Historical Society of North Dakota Foundation! This project was made possible through collaboration among the Foundation, the Friends of Oscar-Zero, the Griggs County Historical Society, generous donors, and the dedicated professionals of the State Historical Society. Together, we’re preserving stories of service and sacrifice for future generations. Thank you to everyone who helped bring Blade 58 back to life! 🚁 #HistoryForAll #NorthDakotaHistory #PreservationInAction

🦖 Dinosaur Day returns to the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum! Join us Thursday, Oct. 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a free, family-friendly celebration of all things prehistoric. Activities include: 🔹 10 a.m. preschool dinosaur program with music and movement for young learners 🔹 Hands-on fun with foam dinosaur puzzles and temporary tattoos 🔹 Fossil and bone displays featuring dinosaurs, sharks, and woolly mammoths 🔹 Meet real paleontologists! North Dakota Geological Survey experts will share insights and lead short dinosaur talks at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. 📍 North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum 612 E. Boulevard Ave., Bismarck 🕓 Free admission | All ages welcome Bring your curiosity and your sense of wonder — it’s going to be a dino-mite day at the museum! 🦕 For more information, contact Education Outreach Supervisor Madison Milbrath, [email protected] or 701.328.2794. #DinosaurDay #NorthDakotaHistory #FamilyFun #TeamND #StateMuseum #Paleontology

🎥 A big thank-you to KFYR-TV for shining a spotlight on the important work of our North Dakota State Archives team! From preserving historic documents to safeguarding priceless sound and video recordings, our archivists are dedicated to keeping North Dakota’s history safe, accessible, and alive for generations to come. We’re grateful for the chance to share how this behind-the-scenes work supports researchers, educators, and community members across the state. Watch the full story here: https://lnkd.in/grj2g4MF #NorthDakota #ArchivesMonth #PreserveHistory #StateArchives

📣 Upcoming Events 📣 Enjoy this Week's Events at State Museums & Historic Sites Our online events calendar features the most comprehensive list of programming offered at the ND Heritage Center & State Museum and the state historic sites across the state. See the full events calendar here: https://lnkd.in/gDmvqrwh Wednesday, Oct. 15 🌳 10 a.m. Little Kids, Big World: Genealogy With the State Archives, ND Heritage Center & State Museum, Bismarck Thursday, Oct. 16 🦕 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dinosaur Day, ND Heritage Center & State Museum, Bismarck Saturday, Oct. 18 🦇 10 a.m. Little Kids, Big World: Bats, ND Heritage Center & State Museum, Bismarck 📽️ 12:30, 2, and 3:30 p.m. “The Hitch-Hiker” movie screening, Pembina State Museum, Pembina