Sep 30 Tuesday
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.
Grounded in Art: Evening YogaTuesdays, September 16 – October 21 | 6:30–7:15 pm
Unwind at the end of your day with a calming yoga practice in the museum galleries. Grounded in Art: Evening Yoga invites participants to stretch, strengthen, and restore through rejuvenating mat-based movement. Guided by yoga instructor Mandy Lyons, this practice encourages relaxation, balance, and creative renewal in a setting that supports both body and mind.
All supplies are provided. BYO mat if you’re able.
We will also be offering a chair yoga class on Monday mornings at 8:00am.
Questions? Call the Museum at (605)688-5423.
Oct 01 Wednesday
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.
Oct 02 Thursday
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.
Oct 03 Friday
Feed Your Mind"Building a Brewery" featuring Ben Hanten, founder of Ben's Brewing CoThe 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.