Community Calendar

Rare Jefferson Peace Medal Exhibit at Mead Museum

An original 220-year old Jefferson Peace Medal on loan to the Mead Museum is on display as part of the Journeying Forward: Connecting Cultures exhibit. The 4-inch Jefferson Peace Medal is extremely rare and a historically significant artifact from the early 19th century.
The peace medals were commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson as part of diplomatic efforts with Native American tribes, serving as symbols of goodwill and alliance between the U.S. government and Indigenous leaders. The Lewis & Clark Expedition handed out 89 of them to leaders of Native Nations on their journey between 1804-1806. This medal is one of less than 5 on display in the world!
In addition to the peace medal, the Journeying Forward exhibit also had an upgrade in its history of the Ihanktonwan and Oceti Sakowin Nations, an important narrative to Yankton regional history.
The Mead Museum is located at 82 Mickelson Dr in Yankton SD. The Museum is open weekdays 10AM to 5PM and on Saturdays/Sundays from 1PM to 5PM.

Omaha author Jeff Barnes introduces The Forts of the Dakota Territory. The program is presented by Deadwood History Inc., and Deadwood Historic Preservation with a grant from the South Dakota Humanities Council. The presentation covers twelve of the territory’s military posts, spanning more than 150 years of Dakota history. “The Dakota forts rank among the most important in the history of the Great Plains, and all with histories tied to the Sioux nation,” said Barnes. His talk includes a brief history of the posts, seldom-heard tales, and many rarely seen historic images and maps. Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center; 12:00 p.m. Sponsored in part by the South Dakota Humanities Council. The event is free.

Join us for October Deep Talks with Chris Combs, SURF 2025 Artist in Residence, as he previews his upcoming exhibit Desperate Remedy/Little Ones. Through interactive and time-based sculptures made with found objects, metal, wood, and materials from SURF, Combs explores the mysterious world of neutrinos—particles that are invisible, omnipresent, and nearly massless.

How to attend:
Deep Talks is held at the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center (160 W. Main Street) in Lead, South Dakota. The event begins at 5 p.m. MT with a social hour, featuring a beer tasting from Crow Peak Brewing Company (21+ only) and light refreshments. Speaker presentations will begin at 6 p.m. MT.

Join virtually at https://sanfordlab.org/events/deep-talks-art-invisible-air-chris-combs

Deep Talks is made possible by Crow Peak Brewing Company, Edward Jones Financial Advisor – Chris Mitchell, RCS Construction, and Charles & Jolene Lichtenwalner.

The University Libraries at the University of South Dakota is presenting its biennial international altered book exhibition “Bound and Unbound VIII,” juried by Bratislava, Slovakia-based altered book artist and illustrator, Isobelle Ouzman, now through Jan. 5, 2026.

“Bound and Unbound VIII” is located in the exhibition cases on the second floor of the I.D. Weeks Library. It is open to the public for viewing during library operating hours, which can be found online. The exhibition can also be viewed online in the Digital Library of South Dakota https://explore.digitalsd.org/digital/collection/exhibitions/search/searchterm/Bound%20and%20Unbound%208:%20Altered%20Book%20Exhibition/field/relatig/mode/exact/conn/and.

The University Libraries Art and Exhibits Committee, sponsor of the exhibition, seeks to showcase a diverse range of international altered book art, to present the work locally and to build an online research collection of altered books.

Reach beyond books and join us at the library for this gentle and accessible yoga class that is perfect for those with limited mobility. No fee or equipment required!
When: Every Monday Time: 1:30 – 2:15 PM Age: General/Adult Registration: No registration required
When: Every Friday Time: 10:00 – 11:00 AM Age: General/Adult Registration: No registration required
No Yoga 9/1, 10/13, 11/28, 12/26

Feed Your Mind
"Building a Brewery" featuring Ben Hanten, founder of Ben's Brewing Co
The first brewery in Dakota Territory was opened in Yankton in 1866 by German immigrant Charles F. Rossteuscher. Almost 160 years later, Ben Hanten, founder of Ben's Brewing Co., will share his experience of converting the historic Freeman Company building into a thriving, modern-day brewery.

Feed Your Minds are held on the first Friday of each month, and there is a free-will donation to attend. The one-hour event will be held on the second floor of the Mead Building, 82 Mickelson Dr in Yankton, SD.

Rare Jefferson Peace Medal Exhibit at Mead Museum

An original 220-year old Jefferson Peace Medal on loan to the Mead Museum is on display as part of the Journeying Forward: Connecting Cultures exhibit. The 4-inch Jefferson Peace Medal is extremely rare and a historically significant artifact from the early 19th century.
The peace medals were commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson as part of diplomatic efforts with Native American tribes, serving as symbols of goodwill and alliance between the U.S. government and Indigenous leaders. The Lewis & Clark Expedition handed out 89 of them to leaders of Native Nations on their journey between 1804-1806. This medal is one of less than 5 on display in the world!
In addition to the peace medal, the Journeying Forward exhibit also had an upgrade in its history of the Ihanktonwan and Oceti Sakowin Nations, an important narrative to Yankton regional history.
The Mead Museum is located at 82 Mickelson Dr in Yankton SD. The Museum is open weekdays 10AM to 5PM and on Saturdays/Sundays from 1PM to 5PM.

The NMM welcomes Michele Benuzzi to play an unattributed Italian harpsichord, made about 1700, which is possibly the only surviving instrument of its kind in the United States. Built in the 3x8 configuration, this is the second time the instrument will be played publicly since its restoration by NMM graduate Susana Caldeira.

Specializing in historic performance, Benuzzi will present a Musical Journey through 17th-Century Europe. The program offers a survey through the countries and national styles of various European nations. Starting point in Italy, with compositions by L. Luzzaschi and G. Frescobaldi, followed by Spain, France, and Germany, before crossing the English Channel to conclude with works from the refined Elizabethan literature.

This performance will be livestreamed at https://www.nmmusd.org/nmm-live-video

Join us for an unique opportunity to meet a few of our wonderful artists and see more of their work.
Featured artists will be set up around the building showing new and warehoused artwork of their own making.

Happening during Downtown Sioux Falls First Friday, stop into the studio and check this out.

Join us for paranormal investigations with Deadwood History, Inc. and Black Hills Paranormal Investigations (BHPI) in October with exclusive investigations at one of Deadwood’s most haunted sites. Participants will search for paranormal activity in the Historic Adams House with the BHPI team using parascopes, para-lanterns, the Tempest, Rem-Pod, Onvoy ghost box, Pharaoh Box, Flux 2, Ovilus, digital audio recorders, laser grids, divining rods, K2’s, Dead Bell, and EMF meters. Investigations are offered at 6:00, 7:30, 9:00, and 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 and limited to 24 people per investigation. You must be at least 12 years old to participate. Ages 12 – 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Reservations are required. Purchase tickets online at DeadwoodHistory.com or call 605-722-4800 for more information.