Feb 06 Friday
Traveling Exhibit Opening at Mead MuseumFeb 2 through April 25
Drowning in Dirt:Joseph Hutton and the DustbowlA soil scientist’s quest to save the farmer by preserving the land
Joseph Hutton, one of the first soil scientists of South Dakota, brought a new concept to the state: not all soil was the same. And different soils required different farming practices in order to be sustainable.
When Hutton arrived at South Dakota State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (now South Dakota State University) in 1911, he studied the negative effects of farming practices of the day which depleted the soil nutrients and caused erosion.
Hutton’s views on soils were a contradiction to common knowledge at the time, and he predicted the dust Bowl 20 years before it happened!
This exhibit utilizes Hutton’s photography, poetry, speeches, and research notes to illustrate the devastation the drought had on farmers of the 1920s and 1930s in South Dakota through the eyes of a soil scientist.
The exhibit will feature Yankton County Artifacts from the 1930s.
“Drowning in Dirt” traveling exhibit was created in 2022 by the South Dakota Agricultural Museum of Brookings in partnership with the SD Humanities Council.
The Mead Museum is open Monday-Saturday noon to 4pm. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for 65+ and $5 for youth. Mead Museum members are free.
Mead Museum82 Mickelson DrYankton, SD 57078https://www.meadbuilding.org/exhibits
Join us for a concert with internationally acclaimed pianist Kuok-Wai Lio, performing on the National Music Museum’s historic Mason & Hamlin grand piano (NMM 15722). Known for its warmth, resonance, and expressive range, this beautifully restored instrument provides the perfect canvas for Lio’s poetic musical voice.
A Curtis Institute graduate and Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient, Lio has appeared with major orchestras around the world, including the China Philharmonic, Camerata Salzburg, Hong Kong Philharmonic, and Houston Symphony. His artistry has earned top prizes in international competitions and led to collaborations with many distinguished musicians and conductors.
Lio’s musical journey began in Macau, where he made his concerto debut at age ten. His studies and subsequent career have taken him across Asia, Europe, and the United States, including regular participation at the Marlboro Music Festival. He has been honored for cultural achievement in his home city and has performed for international dignitaries.
Recent highlights include a featured performance for AAPI Heritage Month (2023), a 2024 concert for peace in Milan, and an appearance at the New York Encounter.
Experience the blend of masterful artistry and historic craftsmanship as Lio brings the NMM’s Mason & Hamlin piano to life in a program rich with color and expression.
Event will be livestreamed at https://www.nmmusd.org/nmm-live-video
A book club for adults, 18+ years. Meets the 2nd Wednesday of every month at K.O. Lee Aberdeen Public Library at 6:30PM. Visit the library website aberdeen.sd.us/library to view current title for discussion.
Join us for the 26th Annual Gift of Hope Concert, featuring Christian singer/songwriter Matt Maher, on Friday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. at St. Michael Church in Sioux Falls.
Enjoy inspiring music alongside stories of hope and healing. This unique candlelight performance will combine beautiful live music and the glow of candles to create an beautiful and immersive experience.
All proceeds benefit the Gift of Hope Fund, which supports the important and ever-expanding healing work of The Lourdes Center.
Feb 07 Saturday
The featured speaker will be retired meteorologist Susan Sanders, speaking on unusual weather in the Black Hills.
Reservations are required, whether for the brunch/presentation or just the presentation. Call 605-723-1200. Those who wish to attend are urged to call soon as brunches fill up quickly. There is typically a waiting list for seats, so if you make a reservation but cannot come, please call the museum to say so.
Special Family Program – Body Art Day! February 7thGet ready for a family fun day full of color and creativity! Let’s see how creative you can get – decorate, design, and dazzle with your new tattoos! We’ll have temporary tattoos, glow-in-the-dark body paint, Jada’s Henna Art will be here to do henna tattoos and more. Along with special guests Branded Tattoo and Piercing and Wazted Ink doing temporary tattoos. Program is geared towards K-5th grades, but all ages are welcome. Caregivers are expected to attend with younger children.When: Saturday, February 7th Time: 10:00-12:00PMAge: K-5th GradesRegistration: No registration required
Discovery Saturday Celebrates Black History Month at the National Music Museum
Kick off Black History Month on Saturday, February 7, during Discovery Saturday at the National Music Museum (NMM) in Vermillion, South Dakota. Throughout the day, visitors are invited to explore the contributions, stories, and musical traditions of Black musicians, makers, and communities represented in the museum’s permanent galleries.
Museum Educator Anna Van Kley will host Gallery Focus Talks beginning at 10:30 a.m. in the Ruth Martens Lamont Gallery, focusing on musical traditions, expression, and identity. At 12:30 p.m., Van Kley will lead a second spotlight in the Tom and Cindy Lillibridge American Strings Gallery, highlighting the contributions of Black musicians to American music.
Discovery Saturdays at the NMM take place on the first Saturday of each month and offer visitors additional activities and educational experiences throughout the museum. Looking ahead to March, the NMM will celebrate Women’s History Month with a special concert from the Vermillion Children’s Choir, on Saturday, March 7, at 2:00 p.m.
The National Music Museum is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information about Discovery Saturdays and other events, visit www.nmmusd.org.
Jam with us at the National Music Museum! Bring your little ones to Music Storytime on the first Saturday of each month at 10:30 a.m. for fun, music-filled storytelling led by Museum Educator Anna Van Kley. Designed for ages 3–6, this free monthly program invites children to explore rhythm, melody, and imagination—sponsored by the M.A. Martin Everist Foundation.
Rare Jefferson Peace Medal Exhibit at Mead Museum
An original 220-year old Jefferson Peace Medal on loan to the Mead Museum is on display as part of the Journeying Forward: Connecting Cultures exhibit. The 4-inch Jefferson Peace Medal is extremely rare and a historically significant artifact from the early 19th century. The peace medals were commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson as part of diplomatic efforts with Native American tribes, serving as symbols of goodwill and alliance between the U.S. government and Indigenous leaders. The Lewis & Clark Expedition handed out 89 of them to leaders of Native Nations on their journey between 1804-1806. This medal is one of less than 5 on display in the world!In addition to the peace medal, the Journeying Forward exhibit also had an upgrade in its history of the Ihanktonwan and Oceti Sakowin Nations, an important narrative to Yankton regional history.The Mead Museum is located at 82 Mickelson Dr in Yankton SD. The Museum is open weekdays 10AM to 5PM and on Saturdays/Sundays from 1PM to 5PM.
