October 11-13, 2018

The 26th Annual West River History Conference will be held October 11-13, 2018, at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel in Rapid City.  The theme for this year's conference is A River Runs Through It.

The Missouri River dominates South Dakota's landscape, but is its influence dividing or defining?  To the East is rich, glaciated farmland blessed with a sub-humid climate.  On the West side is short grass country with a markedly drier climate and mineral-rich mountains.

In a broader sense this year's theme could also be "it's all about the water".  Too much water;  not enough water;  dammed up water. South Dakota's history includes the extremes of the Great Dakota Boom (1878-1887) with abundant rainfall throughout the region, followed by withering drought and a historic Dust Bowl.

We'd love to hear your take on this topic - or any other that is pertinent to the Northern Plains.

Make plans now to attend the 2018 West River History Conference in October.

The collected papers of the conference are published annually in a permanent bound volume available for purchase by schools, libraries, museums and other interested parties. Prizes for the best papers in adult and student categories will be awarded.

The combined 2016-17 combined conference book is being prepared for publication.  It will be dedicated to former publications director, Bobbi Sago.

Scholarship money is available for conference registration and travel expenses to encourage students and their teachers and/or parents to attend. It has been a long-time goal of the West River History Conference to increase the participation of young people so they can learn more about their heritage and carry on the work of preserving it.  All applications for this year's conference are welcome!

WRHC Notices

We received word last month that long-time confe re nce  contributor June Ring of Norris, SD, has passed away.  June wa s a frequent presenter at the conference and winner of the 2016 best paper in the Personal Reminiscences category.  We will miss her lively presentations and wonderful sense of humor.  Our condolences to her family and friends.