State Historical Society of North Dakota

Free Learning Series ‘Junior Historians’ Featured at North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum Children in kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to the free interactive learning series “Junior Historians” at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum in Bismarck. Children and their accompanying adult(s) should meet at the west entrance information desk. The goal of the “Junior Historians” program is to cultivate an interest and passion for North Dakota’s history through weekly themes. Each 30-minute program features stories, activities, discussions, and hands-on learning experiences. ?? Dec. 7 Hibernation, 11 a.m. Some animals hibernate while others migrate. Investigate the difference between the two and build your own hibernation shelter to stay cozy in the winter. ?? Dec. 11 Hibernation, 4 p.m.?Some animals hibernate while others migrate. Investigate the difference between the two and build your own hibernation shelter to stay cozy in the winter. ? Dec. 14 Winter Solstice, 11 a.m. Celebrate the shortest day of sunlight! Learn about the winter solstice, then rebuild Stonehenge and discover its connection to the solstice. ? Dec. 18 Winter Solstice, 4 p.m. Celebrate the shortest day of sunlight! Learn about the winter solstice, then rebuild Stonehenge and discover its connection to the solstice. ?? Dec. 28 Candy Canes, 11 a.m. Dec. 26 is National Candy Cane Day. Celebrate with us and learn about candy cane coding. For more information, contact Education and Engagement Manager Laura Forde, [email protected] or 701.328.2792. The ND Heritage Center & State Museum is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

'Why We Fight' Documentary Screening at the Pembina State Museum The public is invited to attend the screening of “Why We Fight” at the Pembina State Museum on Saturday, Dec. 7, in observance of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Free screenings of the seven-part World War II propaganda documentary will begin every hour starting at 9:30 a.m. Take in all or part of this iconic piece of American film history. Pop and candy will be available in the museum store. Released between 1942 and 1945, “Why We Fight” is one of the most ambitious and successful film projects ever undertaken by the U.S. government. Director Frank Capra and his team made a compelling case for Americans—both military and civilian—to unite in the effort to defeat the Axis powers and defend American values. The Pembina State Museum, located at 805 Highway 59, Pembina, is managed by the State Historical Society of North Dakota. Admission to the museum is free. There is a $2 charge to visit the observation deck. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. For more information, contact Outreach Coordinator Brian Hardy, [email protected] or 701.825.6840.?

Holiday Cheer Awaits at Fort Totten State Historic Site Fort Totten State Historic Site invites the community to kick off the holiday season with an afternoon of festive fun. Join us Saturday, Dec. 7, 1-4 p.m. at the Totten Trail Inn on the grounds of the historic site for a cozy afternoon filled with holiday activities.? Celebrate the spirit of the season while making ornaments and decorating the tree. Guests can enjoy hot chocolate and cookies. Admission is free, and all ages are welcome to attend.? “We’re excited to begin this holiday tradition and welcome the community into the historic Totten Trail Inn,” said Thomas Burke, site supervisor.? Fort Totten State Historic Site, 417 Cavalry Circle in Fort Totten, is managed by the State Historical Society. Winter hours are by appointment only Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The site grounds are open year-round. For more information, contact Lisa Rainbow, 701.766.4441 or [email protected].

?? Extra! Extra! ?? The Wells County Free Press, covering 1911-1984, is now available for unlimited searching access on one of our online newspaper sites, Advantage Archives. Check out all the news, ads, social columns, and more at the link below. https://bit.ly/48ZHAaG

“The Art of Making Do: Folk Culture and Heritage of Germans From Russia” is now on exhibit at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum. Showcasing the ingenuity and resilience of German Russian immigrants through their folk culture and heritage, this exhibition is a partnership of the German-Russian Country: Prairie Legacy (Tri-County Tourism Alliance) and the State Historical Society of North Dakota. https://lnkd.in/gWAFyN6P

We're at it again! We proudly participated in the North Dakota State Auditor's Office food collection challenge, gathering donations for Ministry on the Margins. While we didn't take home the crown this time, we sure brought our A-game and lots of goodies for a great cause! Big thanks to all of our team members who chipped in—our hearts (and pantry contributions) are full! There's always next year... and trust us, we’ll be coming back hungry for that win. https://lnkd.in/gMH8czka #GivingBack #FoodForAll #ChallengeAccepted

??♂? Uff da! We've moved tons of boxes during the past week! ??♀? Last week, we picked up three boxes from Valley City, 128 boxes from Ransom County (check out our previous #pov post behind-the-scenes glimpse!), 10 boxes from the North Dakota Supreme Court, and 34 boxes from Governor Doug Burgum's office. Yesterday, we picked up around 750 late 19th and 20th Century architectural drawings in Dickinson. Now, our team of awesome archivists will get to work inventorying and processing these records, ensuring that history is preserved and accessible for everyone. Stay tuned to see our archivists unfold (or unroll, in the case of the architectural drawings) these North Dakota treasures!

Did you know today is National Play Monopoly Day? In honor of this great day, Public Information Officer Kara H. stopped by KX News's Studio 701 to talk about North Dakota-Opoly and some other great gifts you can find in the Heritage Center & State Museum's gift shop. We've currently sold out of North Dakota-Opoly, but we have more arriving this week! ?? : https://lnkd.in/ghrmdczc.

‘Fibers and Flavors’ Scheduled at Former Governors’ Mansion State Historic Site The Former Governors' Mansion State Historic Site will be hosting “Fibers and Flavors” Saturday, Dec. 14, 1-4 p.m. Fiber craft enthusiasts, bring your crochet, knitting, or preferred fiber craft projects to work on in the cozy holiday ambiance of the Former Governors’ Mansion. The event is free, and hot chocolate?and cookies will be served. All ages are welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult. The Former Governors’ Mansion, located at 320 E. Ave. B, Bismarck, is managed by the State Historical Society of North Dakota. Admission is free. The Former Governors’ Mansion?is open by appointment and 1-5 p.m. the second combined Friday and Saturday. For more information, contact Site Supervisor Johnathan Campbell, 701.328.9528 or [email protected].?

**UPDATE** Correction to posting: Dates of the open house will be Sunday, Dec. 1 and Sunday, Dec. 8. ????Holiday Open House Scheduled at Former Governors' Mansion State Historic Site???? The Former Governors’ Mansion State Historic Site in Bismarck will host its free annual Holiday Open House Sunday, Dec. 1, and Sunday, Dec. 8, from 1 to 4 p.m. each day. Visit with Santa, make a Christmas craft, enjoy refreshments, and take a self-guided tour of the mansion, which will be decorated for the holiday season. Cookies and hot cider will be served. All ages are welcome. The Former Governors’ Mansion, located at the corner of Fourth Street and Avenue B in Bismarck, is managed by the State Historical Society of North Dakota. Admission is free. The mansion is currently open on?the second Friday and Saturday of each month from 1?to 5 p.m.?To make an appointment?outside of regular hours, phone?701.328.9528 or email?[email protected].