Elevate Magazine August 2023 Rapid City South Dakota

HISTORY ON DISPLAY

AREA MUSEUMS CAPTURE CULTURE AND HISTORY OF THE BLACK HILLS

Kayleigh Johnson’s childhood passion turns into career at the Museum of Geology

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Museums immortalize culture & history

The famous Mexican painter Frida once remarked, “I paint flowers so they will not die.”

The same could be said for culture and history. Art, culture, history—they all achieve immortality in the right place. And that place is at a museum.

Not only do museums breathe life into the past, but they also play a vital role in cultural development, helping to promote understanding and appreciation of different cultures, perspectives, and places we’ll never be able to visit. Museums promote understanding and tolerance. And both are essential for a healthy and vibrant society.

But let’s not stop there. Museums educate. Museums provide social connection. Museums even make you healthier (through walking and learning). I once did 15,000 steps at a science museum, so I can attest to that.

These would be reasons enough to support museums, but if you’re looking for more, know that museums are important economic drivers of tourism and economic development. A recent study by the American Alliance of Museums found that museums generate $76.6 billion in economic activity each year. This includes direct spending by visitors, as well as indirect spending by businesses that support the museum industry. The study also found that museums create 736,000 jobs and generate $22.3 billion in tax revenue.

Welcome to this issue of Elevate, where we take you on a tour of some of the area’s museums, from geology to dinosaurs. There’s even a story about the world’s only pawnseum located in downtown Rapid City. The only challenge we had in this issue was that we had so many good museums in the area, we had to cut it off and save some for next time.

So, get your walking shoes on and get ready for some exploration, culture, and just maybe, you’ll see some flowers. Stay safe and God-speed.

Elevate is a monthly publication produced by Elevate Rapid City. It is the premier business magazine for the Black Hills region telling the stories that make our area unique and vibrant.

PO Box 747, Rapid City, SD 57709 605.343.1744 elevaterapidcity.com

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SENIOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & PARTNERSHIPS DIRECTOR

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SENIOR MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

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EVENTS & MARKETING DIRECTOR

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BY

WHAT'S INSIDE: HISTORY ON DISPLAY

AREA MUSEUMS Page 8

Get to know a few of the museums around the region.

PAWNSEUM Page 12

From pawn shop to pawnseum. Learn how this family-owned business expanded their model to create a one-of-its kind attraction in downtown Rapid City.

MUSEUM OF GEOLOGY Page 18

Kayleigh Johnson’s childhood passion becomes her career as the assistant director of the Museum of Geology.

DINOSAUR MUSEUM Page 28

Bringing history to life through art and displays for all ages.

August 2023

Volume 4

Issue Number 8

EVENTS AROUND THE REGION

JULY 30

BLACK HILLS YOGA

FESTIVAL

Miner Brewing Company

www.facebook.com/ BlackHillsYogaFestival

AUGUST 14

MOONLIT MOVIES:

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

Main Street Square

mainstreetsquare.org/moonlitmovies

AUGUST 19

MOUNTAIN STATES FORD

DEMOLITION DERBY

The Central States Fairgrounds

www.centralstatesfair.com/ events/2023/mountain-statesford2

AUGUST 20

WAGS AND WAVES

Jimmy Hilton Pool

www.go.rallyup.com/ wagsandwaves/Campaign/Details

AUGUST 18-26

CENTRAL STATES FAIR

The Central States Fairgrounds

www.centralstatesfair.com

AUGUST 24

NELLY CONCERT

The Central States Fairgrounds

www.centralstatesfair.com

The Journey Museum & Learning Center

222 New York Street, Rapid City

The Journey Museum & Learning Center brings together five major prehistoric and historic collections to tell the complete story of the Western Great Plains - from the perspective of the Lakota people and their unique Native American history, and the pioneers who shaped its past, to the scientists who now study it. Interactive learning experiences such as the Wells Fargo Theater, Paleontology Tent and the STEAM Lab give you the chance to learn and play every day!

Photos by Visit Rapid City

BLACK HILLS MUSEUMS

Get to know a few of the museums throughout the Black Hills. We hope as you visit them you feel inspired and connected to the region.

South Dakota Air & Space Museum

2890 Davis Drive, Ellsworth AFB

The SD Air & Space Museum showcases over 30 vintage military aircraft ranging from World War II bombers to the modernday B-1. Their aviation exhibits also feature many different military missiles on display, including a Minuteman II Intercontinental Ballistic Missile. Their galleries and aviation exhibits are walking tours through America’s rich history in aviation and innovation.

Photos by Visit Rapid City

STORY BY JENNA CARDA PHOTOS BY MAGGIE JEAN WINCE

The World’s Only Pawnseum

A third-generation business steeped in history.

As most business owners know, the ever changing landscape of the entrepreneurial journey is a roller coaster ride. You either stay on the course of ups, downs, and loops or you simply hop off the attraction to go find something else.

Trevor Johnson has seen the changing landscape within the community, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. Always adapting and keeping up with change, Johnson joined his family business at The Clock Shop & Presidential Pawn.

“It’s cool to be a third-generation business owner and know that your family’s work has been here for over 50 years. We’re blessed to be where we are at,” said Johnson.

In the early 1980s, Johnson’s grandparents purchased a jewelry store where today’s Canvas 2 Paint stands. As more and more customers requested clocks to be fixed, they opened up The Clock Shop in 1986 where the boutique Decades resides. In 2001, Johnson’s parents purchased the clock store from his grandparents.

At its current location at 629 St. Joseph Street, The Clock Shop saw a shift in business when the 2008 recession began to affect the country’s economy. They started buying gold and silver, and eventually, in 2011, the Johnsons added a new arm to the clock store: Presidential Pawn.

“We bought some interesting things over the years, and my dad thought that a rotating display in the store to showcase the unique, rare, and one-of-a-kind items would be a nice addition,” explained Johnson.

This was the beginning of the world’s only Pawnseum.

From local treasures to national, museum-grade artifacts, the Pawnseum has a collection that has been covered in multiple news outlets and has been visited by countless people. It is the home to the largest gold nugget to come out of the Black Hills, Deadwood Dick’s pocket watch, Pawnzi–the world’s smallest dog, early Michael Jackson and late Elvis Presley memorabilia, and even the Friendship 7 Periscope Lens.

“Some of the pieces would be considered Smithsonian pieces—they are museum grade artifacts,” said Cory Condon, the store’s manager.

“It’s nice that, in the middle of South Dakota, you have museum-quality pieces to see.”

A lot of research goes into the individual pieces, and all of the exhibits have been purchased within their store. The Pawnseum has garnered attention from other renowned museums, experts in science and history, and even the occasional celebrity.

“It’s nice that, in the middle of South Dakota, you have museum-quality pieces to see.” -CORY CONDON

“We’ve got a lot of good customers,” said Condon. “We get locals that come in, and we get to meet all the people that come in for conventions or concerts and things. We’ve gotten quite a few regulars over the years that will come back and see us each time they’re in town.”

“We love downtown Rapid City,” added Johnson. “It’s just home.”

With new items coming through the store frequently, the displays and exhibits change. It has expanded from the floor to up the stairs, and is free to the public. To learn more about The Clock Shop, Presidential Pawn, and the Pawnseum, visit presidentialpawnshop.com.

Cory Condon, Trevor Johnson

Dahl Arts Center

713 7th Street, Rapid City

The Dahl Arts Center houses a flexible use event center, five visual arts galleries, an interactive children’s gallery, the Cyclorama Mural of American History, gift shop, classrooms for artists of all ages and abilities and Emerging Artist performing space.

Indian

Museum of North America

Crazy Horse, SD 57730

THE INDIAN MUSEUM OF NORTH AMERICA® is home to a large collection of art and artifacts reflecting the diverse histories and cultures of over 300 Native Nations.

Days of ‘76 Museum

18 76th Drive, Deadwood

State-of-the-art facility filled with dynamic and thematic exhibitions. The museum also features a variety of different sounds throughout the carriage, wagon, and stagecoach gallery to make the experience more immersive and memorable.

Courtesy Photo

Photo courtesy Deadwood History, Inc, Deadwood, SD

Adams Museum

54 Sherman St, Deadwood

Some of the Black Hills’ greatest treasures are on exhibit at the museum including Potato Creek Johnny’s 7.346 troy ounce gold nugget, the beloved American illustrator N.C. Wyeth’s pencil sketch drawing of Western legend Wild Bill Hickok, and a rare one-of-a-kind plesiosaur.

Fort Meade Museum

Sheridan St, Fort Meade, Sturgis

Fort Meade was a military post from 1878 to 1944. Originally established to protect miners and settlers traveling in the area, it played a major role in maintaining peace on the western Dakota frontier. The Museum offers an in-depth history of Fort Meade.

Keystone Museum

410 3rd Street, Keystone

Housed in the old Keystone Schoolhouse building, built in 1899, it served as Keystone’s full-time school until 1988. Features early day mining tools, historic pictures and photo collections, rock and mineral collections, and historic displays including Carrie Ingalls memorabilia.

Courtesy Photo

Courtesy Photo

Photo courtesy Deadwood History, Inc, Deadwood, SD

Evolving Through Time

MUSEUM OF GEOLOGY: CREATING A CONNECTION TO THE PAST FOR A CENTURY

STORY BY MICHELLE PAWELSKI

PHOTOS BY SHILOH FRANCIS

Kayleigh Johnson’s fascination with fossils started as a young girl living in Southern Colorado. To her, the Rocky Mountains revealed much more than a picturesque landscape. They revealed a glimpse into the past.

“I have loved learning about the past since I was a child. I grew up in the Rockies of Southern Colorado finding fossils and cool rocks with my dad. I really had a curiosity of the natural world from a young age. I never grew out of that passion.”

That curiosity led her to the South Dakota School of Mines of Technology where she earned her bachelor’s degree in geology in 2017 and her master’s in paleontology in 2018. “SD Mines has a great geology program and the only master’s in paleontology in the nation. I wanted to move back west from living in the south for some time. I was welcomed so warmly when I visited campus; I knew this is where I needed to attend.”

Her college visit was not her first to the School of Mines.

During her senior year of high school, Kayleigh toured the Museum of

Geology, located on campus. “I was very impressed by the museum because it had an equal number of displays on paleontology and geology. I figured it would be mostly geology, based on my previous experiences with similar museums.”

Kayleigh is now the assistant director of the century-old museum, a position she has aspired to for many years.

“Growing up there was a community college that had a little museum there, and I remember spending many hours in there thinking that is something I would want to do,” she said.

It is not only the fossils that Johnson finds fascinating, but the history of the museum. Her “pandemic project” was creating an exhibit of the museum’s timeline that is on display in the Paleontology Research Lab and was highlighted during the museum’s recent centennial celebration.

While the Museum of Geology recently celebrated its 100th anniversary of being open to the public, its history started many years prior. “We were founded in 1885, a few years before South Dakota became a state,” Johnson said.

The Museum of Geology was founded alongside the Dakota School of Mines, the name of the university at the time, with a donation of more than 5,000 fossils and mineral specimens from Professor Gilbert Bailey. “When people think of the South Dakota Mines, they may not think of the Museum of Geology right away. However, we’ve been there since the start, and several of our past presidents were geologists and paleontologists by training.”

Initially, the specimens were used as a teaching tool for students and faculty, but not available to the public, Johnson said.

Cataloging the fossils started

in 1899 when Professor Cleophas O’Harra, the driving force behind M Hill, the football stadium, and the iconic freshman beanies, became president of the university. “He was really influential to campus, but people forget that he was a paleontologist,” she explained.

O’Harra would take students out for a week in horse-drawn wagons, educating them on the area and hunting for fossils. “He was really the driver into making us a museum, although not yet making us open to the public,” Johnson said.

With the help of Professor Guy March, the museum

opened its doors to the public in 1923 providing a bridge and an educational resource to the community.

Johnson estimates the museum has around 500,000 specimens with many still needing to be cataloged. “We have a huge back log. For every hour it takes to collect something in the field, it takes 10 to 20 hours to

prepare and process it. We still have jackets that haven’t been opened since they were collected in 1928.”

The collection may include some of Bailey’s original specimens, however, it is not known for sure.

The first specimen, the front portion of Alligator prenasalis’ snout and lower jaw, was cataloged in 1899.

“It is a very unassuming piece and

“WE HAVE SOMETHING THAT SAYS ‘LOOK HOW SCIENCE HAS CHANGED.’ THAT IS REALLY COOL.”

KAYLEIGH JOHNSON

quite small,” Johnson said. “It was the first fossil of this kind of alligator which would have lived in the White River Badlands area around 35 million years ago. I had the privilege of creating reproductions of this specimen when I was the preparator and lab manager at the museum. That was a lot of fun.”

Johnson’s hope is to retain the decades-long history of the museum while updating it to the modern century. She is working with the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) on an assessment. “We’ve been looking at our interpretation, exhibits and education programming and seeing where we want to go from here.”

Johnson said they will never get rid of the mounts and dioramas that have been there since the early 1900s but want to advance the interpretations. For example, the Edmontosaurus mount has an incorrect stance. “In the early days of paleontology, we thought many dinosaurs would have drug their tails on the ground. We have found fossil evidence that suggest their tails would have been much stiffer and would have been held off the ground.” Kayleigh added the Edmontosaurus likely walked on four legs instead of two.

“We have something that says, ‘look how science has changed.’ That is really cool.”

In 2020, the Museum of Geology received accreditation from the AAM, only the second natural history museum in South Dakota to receive the honor. The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs is also accredited. AAM accreditation signifies a museum’s quality and credibility to the museum community, government, outside agencies, and the public.

The accreditation along with the museum’s assessment will help provide a road map along with funding to move it forward.

“I would like to see us grow our interpretation and education side. How can we modernize and bring the museum up to the 21st Century and how can we give back to the community more?”

Johnson said much of the museum’s success is due to the student workers.

“They are a vital part of the museum. They are the first people visitors meet when they come to the museum, and they are the ones that help facilitate tours and learning at the museum. We have been able to make the museum a welcoming and safe environment for everyone, and that really starts with my student workers.”

With around 30,000 visitors to the museum each year, Johnson hopes each one learns something new.

“I hope that our visitors can walk away with fond memories of our museum and

learn something new about their world. I hope they feel a sense of belonging to the natural world, and awe for how complex nature and the Earth can be.”

And maybe even inspire some to become future paleontologists and geologists.

Museum of Geology

O'Harra Building - SD Mines

561 E St Joseph St

Rapid City, SD 57701

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Monday - Saturday

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From Childhood Dreams to a Must-See Attraction

The story behind Rapid City’s Dinosaur Museum on Highway 16

There’s something mystical about dinosaurs. From classic movies like Jurassic Park to The Land Before Time and Dinosaur Train, whether you are an adult who understands the science behind it all, or a child with wild-eyed wonder, dinosaurs are fascinating.

Fritz Hoppe was only four years old, but he still remembers when Steven Spielberg’s sequel to Jurassic Park (The Lost World) hit the big screen in 1997. Fascinated, he watched the film multiple times and became infatuated with the reptilian group who ruled the world millions of years ago. Only a young boy at the time, Fritz and his two brothers (Jack & Dana) played with

toy dinosaurs and even followed in their father Fred’s footsteps by setting up mock museums with their toys. This is where the Dinosaur Museum came to life.

Fred Hoppe is a well known artist and bronze sculptor from Columbus, Nebraska. Inspired by his Father, Fritz Sr., serving on the front lines in world War II, Fred created a military museum in Branson, Missouri. Built in 1999, Fred wanted the museum to honor US veterans from all wars, including his father, who received four Purple Heart Medals & a Bronze Star. Fred and his father always believed the greatest heroes were the ones left on the battlefield. With the military museum’s success educating

people, and a love for tourism, it seemed like a natural fit for Fred to create something inspired by his children.

When Fritz Jr. was 15, the Hoppe family took a road trip to the Black Hills. Pursuing new museum ideas, Fred was already connected to people in the area. At one time he even stayed with another sculptor, Dale Lamphere, while he met with some community leaders.

“Sculptors tend to be competitive, but [he] always told me Dale is one of the kindest people he’s ever met,” said Fritz. “The local people always made us feel welcome. That is what South Dakota is all about: helping each other, kindness, making life better.”

In August 2014, Dinosaur Museum opened its doors in Rapid City off Highway 16. It is filled with 50 life-size dinosaur replicas and Hell Creek Formation fossils, some of which the museum purchased from local paleontologist Riley Lawson of Lawson Fossils out of Hot Springs. In addition to dinosaurs, families can enjoy a 9-hole mini golf course and a maze of mirrors.

“All ages can enjoy our museum,” said Fritz. “Of course, it seems all kids have an incredible fascination with dinosaurs (and they always know a lot more about dinosaurs than I do). It’s also surprising how large of a niche crowd there is that enjoys natural history and museums in general. It’s all about the experience and learning something new.”

Alongside his fiancé, Amanda, and his parents (his mother Donna holds a doctorate in veterinary science), the life-like exhibits are an artistic display backed by a love of conservation and education. Each species was crafted by specialists to the most life-like replication that the dinosaur may have been seen in while they were living.

“I was raised to learn and care about the environment,” explained Fritz. “Backpacking, hunting, fishing, planting trees and conserving habitat—those lessons were all taught to me by my father when I was a kid. I think that ties into the natural history aspect of the museum.

Conservation and educating about the changing dynamics of the natural world are the core behind my own visions for the museum.”

Tourism has always been a part of Fritz’s life, and building attractions has become a passion for him. With the area boasting the nation’s top

monuments, great family entertainment, and National Forest to explore, nearly 2 million visitors travel to the Black Hills each year. And while some businesses try to get closer and closer to the hub near Mount Rushmore, Fritz is happy with where the Dinosaur Museum stands, and has a vision of a bigger museum for the future.

“Knowing what we know now [about tourism and traffic in the Black Hills], if someone asked me the best location for a family attraction in the state of South Dakota, I would still say it is right here [in Rapid City] between Reptile Gardens & the Rushmore Candy Store.”

ELEVATE EVENTS CALENDAR

August 3

Critical Issues Luncheon

The Rushmore Hotel

11:30 am - 1:00 pm

August 8

Policy at the Pub

Firehouse Winery

4:00 - 5:00 pm

August 16

Entrepreneur Happy Hour

DLAB

4:00 - 5:00 pm

August 22

Ag Appreciation Event

Central States Fairgrounds

4:00 - 6:00 pm

September 7

Critical Issues Luncheon

The Rushmore Hotel

11:30 am - 1:00 pm

September 12

Q3 Mixer Security First Bank

4:30 - 6:30 pm

September 21

Industry Coffee Connection

DLAB

8:30 - 9:30 am

September 22

Black Hills Forum & Press Club

Holiday Inn Downtown

11:30 am - 1:00 pm

HEAD TO ELEVATERAPIDCITY.COM/EVENTS FOR DETAILS

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