The Center for Western Studies Newsletter
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The Center for Western Studies Newsletter Vol. 26 Number 2 SUMMER 2006 Conference Dakota Conference Has Urban Theme Attracts and International Flavor Students The Dakota Conference this year was Fourteen students enhanced by presentations by scholars from from several area colleges abroad as well as from the Northern Plains. attended the Dakota Con- Ron Nelson, director of administration for the ference. Ten presented Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical papers: Jason Heppler, a Weapons in The Hague, the Netherlands, gave history major at SDSU; a paper on Herbert Krause as an ornithologist. Daron Olson, a Ph.D. his- Rasmus Sunde, a professor at the Sogn og Fjor- tory student at Southern dane University College in Sogndal, Norway, Illinois University-Car- spoke about his research on Norwegian immi- bondale; Brian Twenter gration in Minnehaha County. and Christopher Leather- Several papers elaborated on the confer- man, graduate students in ence theme of “The Urban Plains,” which sought to examine the increasing urbanization English at USD; and Award-winning journalist Tim Giago. Tammy Cromwell and of the Northern Plains region. More than 50% Manfred Knapp, senior of the population of South Dakota, for exam- the urban Indian, with particular reference to history students at Valley ple, now resides in cities. The Sioux Falls Rapid City. Born on the Pine Ridge Reserva- City State University, ND. Sesquicentennial (1856-2006) gave occasion tion, he is founder of The Lakota Times, later In addition, five to discuss the history of Sioux Falls. Augus- renamed Indian Country Today, which became Augustana College stu- tana professor emeritus Dr. Gary Olson offered the largest American Indian newspapaer. His dents from Dr. Michael the Friday evening address on the rise of Sioux appearance at the Dakota Conference was made Mullin’s Interim Class Falls. Several papers were also given on the possible by a grant from the South Dakota “Red, Black, and White” frontier town of Deadwood. Mencken Award- Humanities Council, an affiliate of the Nation- presented the results of winning Oglala Sioux journalist Tim Giago al Endowment for the Humanities. their research on African- spoke at the Friday luncheon on the making of (continued on page 2) Americans in a session entitled “The Geography of Slavery.” Freshman Clarissa Thompson intro- Record Attendance at Center’s duced the session. History majors Laura Plowman, “Musical Birthday Party” Kelly Goertzen, and On June 13, “150 Candles” set a new Christine Howard each record with 300 theater-goers in attendance gave papers. History at the Center’s 17th annual dinner-theater. major Laura Sova offered Sponsored by Board member Gerry Law analysis and perspective. and husband Robert, and billed as “AMusi- Anna Amundson, a cal Birthday Party for Sioux Falls,” the pro- senior history major at gram celebrated the city’s sesquicentenni- Augustana, presented a al with a Chautauqua-style presentation at paper on World War II the Ramkota convention center by actor war brides. Phil Kappen, accompanied by the music of An adult student the 19-piece Sioux Falls Sesquicentennial from BHSU received Band, conducted by Dr. Leland Lillehaug. graduate credit for A special Sesquicentennial Birthday Cake was served at the June event. Regaled first with a dinner of pork loin attending the conference Note the Sesquicentennial logo 1856-2006. and submitting an analyt- (continued on page 2) ical paper. CWS Receives National Award . Page 3 (Dakota Conference continued from front page) topics discussed at the conference. Attendance at this year’s conference, April 21-22, num- South Dakota Magazine publisher Bernie Hunhoff spoke bered 250, with 84 presenters from 12 states speaking in 25 at the Saturday breakfast about his travels through South Dako- sessions. The Northern Plains Autograph Party, held on Satur- ta, and University of South Dakota history professor Herbert day, featured 30 authors of new or recently published books, Hoover gave the Saturday awards luncheon address on A New showcasing the publishing activities found in the region. South Dakota History. Authors also made presentations in scheduled sessions, dis- Major financial support for the Dakota Conference came cussing their research and writing. from the South Dakota Humanities Council, an affiliate of the The conference garnered considerable media attention, National Endowment for the Humanities, the Augustana Col- starting with an article in the Sioux Falls Chamber of Com- lege Mellon Fund Committee, City of Deadwood Historic merce insert in the Argus Leader and concluding with an arti- Preservation Commission, and Richard and Michelle Van cle in the Dakota/Lakota Journal about the Native American Demark. (Record Attendance continued from front page) and grilled chicken breast, the 300 diners heard Mr. Kappen, personating city founder Frank Pettigrew, recount his part in building up the village of Sioux Falls into a dynamic com- mercial and transportation center for the northern plains. When the Center’s staff were planning this event to cele- brate the city’s 150th birthday, they asked themselves, “What were the most significant events in the making of Sioux Falls, those moments in history when it could be said that the place was now stronger, healthier and better able to serve its citizens and the people of the Northern Plains?” And when the staff went looking for the right citizen of Sioux Falls to preside over a musical birthday party, they hit upon the one man who from the earliest years of settlement had Phil Kappen as Frank Pettigrew is pictured at the left in front made up his mind that he would do all he could to make Sioux of the Sioux Falls Sesquicentennial Band and its conductor Falls the Queen City of the plains. And for 57 years he did just Dr. Leland Lillehaug at the far right. that. That man was R. F. Pettigrew, surveyor, attorney, and entre- pleting a line directly to the Pacific Ocean. But he did much preneur; and from his arrival at Fort Dakota in 1869 to his death more, and even the final act of his life—leaving his magnifi- in 1926 he worked tirelessly at the task. cent home and his museum to the city—was a gesture worthy Pettigrew’s exploits are legendary and his score card of of “The Founding Father of Sioux Falls.” contributions is without compare. No wonder we consider him In order to provide a musical background for Mr. Kappen’s the “Founding Father of Sioux monologue, Dr. Lillehaug, emeritus professor of music at Falls” and decided to bring him Augustnaa and long-time conductor of the Sioux Falls Munic- back on this June night as the ipal Band, drew together 19 veteran musicians into the Sesqui- MC of our musical celebration, centennial Band. Included were Dennis Knutson, Becky forcefully portrayed by Sioux Simonz, Beverly Gibson, Daniel Graber, Terry Walter, Rachelle Falls actor Phil Kappen, with Broveleit, Eric Knutson, Richard Hastings, Doug Lehrer, Scott a script written by Executive Faragher, Bob McDowell, Vance Shoemaker, Joel Broveliet, Director Arthur Huseboe. Carl Hallstrom, Gary Peterson, Eric LeVan, Craig Spangler, Frank Pettigrew’s greatest and Erik Kiesz. accomplishment was to bring The 14 musical selections performed by the Band ranged the railroads to Sioux Falls, for from the “Star Spangled Banner” (Pettigrew’s favorite com- he believed that the Great position) to “I Been Working on the Railroad” (to illustrate Pet- Plains, lying between Hudson tigrew’s great success in bringing five railroads into Sioux Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, Falls), and concluding with the great Sousa tune, “The Stars “is the greatest body of fertile and Stripes Forever.” CWS members Richard Froi- land upon the globe.” Begin- The Board and staff and all friends of the Center are grate- land and Robert Law are look- ning in 1878 he brought into ing at artifacts and memora- ful to Dr. Lillehaug and the musicians and to Phil Kappen for Sioux Falls no less than five bilia about Frank Pettigrew helping us once more to prove that fine food and significant railroads, and only the Panic of that were on loan from the history can make for a very entertaining evening as well as 1893 prevented him from com- Siouxland Heritage Museums. strengthen the Center’s finances. 2 CWS Receives National Award The American Association for State and Local History University; and from Augustana College, Arthur Huseboe, (AASLH) recently announced that the Center for Western Michael Mullin, Gary Olson, Lynwood Oyos, and Ron Robin- Studies is the recipient of its Leadership in History Award of son. The general editor and project director was Harry Thomp- Merit for the book publication A New South Dakota History. son, of the Center for Western Studies. This is the first national award for the Center. Publication was made possible with major financial sup- Award winners will be honored at a special banquet dur- port from Howard and Eunice Hovland, the Elmen Family Foun- ing the association’s national convention, to be held in dation, Sheldon F. Reese Foundation, Sioux Falls Area Com- Phoenix, Arizona, September 16, 2006. ED Art Huseboe will munity Foundation, and South Dakota Community Foundation. be on hand to accept the award on the Center’s behalf, as will Candidates for the award, which is competitive, must several CWS members. have the support of both the AASLH State Team Captain and The association’s news release states, “The AASLH Lead- Regional Chair before their nomination advances to the ership in History Awards, now in its 61st year, is the most national office. The South Dakota Team Captain is Jay Vogt, prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation Director of the South Dakota State Historical Society, and the and interpretation of state and local history.” Regional Chair is Genia Hesser, Site Supervisor of the Fort The American Association for State and Local History is Buford State Historic Site in Williston, ND.