The state Capitol building in Pierre is bringing historic artifacts and exhibits to its halls to celebrate a milestone in South Dakota’s 125 year history. On Friday, the Museum of the South Dakota State Historical Society will display several items in the Capitol Rotunda to recognize the Enabling Act of 1889.
Mike Mueller is with the South Dakota Bureau of Administration. He says this act is one of the most important dates in South Dakota’s achievement of statehood because it allowed the Dakota Territory to split up. Mueller says the artifacts are directly related to South Dakota’s founding of statehood.
"Probably the premiere artifact is the pen that President Harrison used to sign that proclamation on November 2nd 125 years ago will be on display. It’s a very interesting artifact and really is a strong connection about our state’s history and national history as well," says Mueller. "The other artifacts also are very strongly connected to our achievement of statehood. There are tickets to the Republican Democratic State Conventions where they selected their statewide office candidates."
Mueller says another featured item is a gavel made out of a stair railing from the site of the state's constitutional conventions in 1883, 1885 and 1889.
Mueller says there are also two traveling exhibits from the State Historical Society on display this Friday. They outline the settlement of Dakota Territory and the early days of the state. He says the exhibits and artifacts are open to the public.