South Dakota

Archival Research and Special Collections in the Black West

Here are institutions and archival resources in South Dakota where Africana history, culture, and archival research are documented and made available for scholars, students, genealogists, and the public:

African American Heritage Sites in Sioux Falls, Plains History
Augustana University and The South Dakota African American History Museum
Augustana University Special Collections at Tredway Library
Buffalo Soldiers/25th Infantry at Fort Pierre and Fort Randall, National Archives
Oscar Micheaux—Homestead National Historical Park, Pullman National Historical Park, National Park Service
Oscar Micheaux papers, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division
South Dakota African American History Museum, Sioux Falls
South Dakota Digital Archives, South Dakota State Historical Society
The South Dakota Oral History Center, University of South Dakota
South Dakota State Historical Society
South Dakota State University, Online Archives
University of South Dakota—African American Sites
University of South Dakota, Archives & Special Collections
York, African American explorer—Lewis and Clark Research Database, lewisandclarktrust.org
Newspapers & Community Press as Archival Sources:
- Digitized Newspapers in South Dakota, Library of Congress

Tips for Archival Research

Start with online finding aids — many archives have searchable guides you can review before visiting.
Contact archivists ahead of time — they can help identify relevant collections and materials.
Explore digital collections first — some historical photos, oral histories, and exhibits may be available online.
Leverage community institutions — university archives and regional historical societies often collaborate with local historians.

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