The annual event showcasing local history will be held at the Sturgis Community Center, This year’s theme is “Archaeology of the Sturgis and Meade County Area.”

Sturgis, South Dakota — May 6, 2025— The ninth annual Sturgis & Meade County History Day will be held Saturday, June 7, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Sturgis Community Center. “Archaeology of the Sturgis and Meade County Area” is the theme of the event this year.

Booths displaying a variety of historical artifacts, pictures and other information and memorabilia will be open on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the theater lobby and main lobby. A donation lunch will also be served. 

Put on by the Sturgis & Meade County Historical Society, the event this year is focusing more on the speakers and less on the booths. Speakers have proven to be the most popular part of the event over the years. 

This year’s speakers include students from the University of South Dakota, along with Dr. Tony Krus from USD, on archaeological techniques used at the “Soap Suds Row” dig near Fort Meade. They will present at 11:00 a.m. in the Community Center Theater.

A second talk will be presented at 1:00 p.m. by Katie Lamie from the South Dakota State Archaeological Research Center from Rapid City titled “Taking One for the Road: An 1878 Bottle Dump Between Grasshopper Jim’s Scooptown and Camp Sturgis”. She will discuss about how artifacts are accessioned into the State Archaeological Research Center, and some of the findings from the Soap Suds Row digs.

During the first two weeks of June, the Bear Butte Creek Historic Preserve will once again be conducting archaeological digs at Soap Suds Row, with students and professors from USD and Augustana. 

The students, professors, professional archaeologists and volunteers will also be participating in History Day to share their latest findings. Tours of the Soap Suds Row dig site at the Bear Butte Creek Historic Preserve will also be given.

The Society will again be presenting their Friend of History Award(s).

For those who want to learn more about the Sturgis and Meade County Historical Society, a booth with information about the Society and membership will be available. There are five levels of membership in the Sturgis & Meade County Historical Society, as follows: individual membership, $25 per year; family membership, $35 per year;  student membership, $15 per year; life membership, one-time payment of $5,000; and business sponsorship, $250 per year. 

History Day is possible, due in part, to the support from the City of Sturgis, HomeSlice Group, KBHB Radio and the Meade County Commission. 

For more information, call 605-381-5395 or email presidentsturgishistory@gmail.com.

About Sturgis & Meade County Historical Society

Founded in 2014, the Sturgis & Meade County Historical Society is the result of a cooperative effort of people within the local community who are dedicated to preserving and relating the history of the area. The official mission of the Society is to “Preserve, protect and promote Sturgis and Meade County History.” More information can be found at sturgishistory.org.

For more information, press only:

Logan Lamphere
Sturgis & Meade County Historical Society

605-490-0732

llampher@hotmail.com

A booth from the Bear Butte Creek Historic Preservation Council at History Day 2024 (Photo by Logan Lamphere)