State Historical Society of North Dakota

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State Historical Society of North Dakota We oversee 60 state museums and historic sites located throughout the state. The North Dakota Heritage Center has been our headquarters since 1981.

Established in 1895, the State Historical Society of North Dakota's mission is “to identify, preserve, interpret, and promote the heritage of North Dakota and its people.”

The State Historical Society of North Dakota oversees 59 historic sites and museums located throughout the state. If you are looking for more information about the State Historical Society of North Dakota, please visit history.nd.gov.

A Closer Look: Dakota Territory’s 1885 CensusIn 1889, when North Dakota and South Dakota became states, the governmental...
10/20/2026

A Closer Look: Dakota Territory’s 1885 Census

In 1889, when North Dakota and South Dakota became states, the governmental records of Dakota Territory were split between the two. Each state received different parts of these records, but all were to be kept, protected, and accessible. Recently, the State Historical Society of North Dakota and the University of South Dakota partnered to virtually reunite territorial records and to create better access to them. We received a National Endowment for the Humanities grant to do so. Soon researchers will be able to view all these collections easily and from anywhere.

Read the full blog article at https://blog.statemuseum.nd.gov/dakota-territorys-1885-census.

10/14/2026

We've updated the list of contemporary objects (1950s-current) that we would like to add to our museum collections. Please take a look and see if there are any you have and are willing to donate!
https://history.nd.gov/donateList.html

10/13/2026

Learn the history of the North Dakota State Constitution.

We’ve been on the road visiting schools across the state to spread the word about National History Day in North Dakota! ...
10/08/2026

We’ve been on the road visiting schools across the state to spread the word about National History Day in North Dakota! From introducing the theme to providing project coaching, we love spending time with young historians.

Want us to visit your school? Reach out at https://nd.nhd.org.

Hidden Gems: “Unpacking” a State Archives CollectionHello and happy American Archives Month from the staff of the North ...
10/06/2026

Hidden Gems: “Unpacking” a State Archives Collection

Hello and happy American Archives Month from the staff of the North Dakota State Archives! With thousands of record collections documenting the history of North Dakota from the territorial period to yesterday’s news, there is so much to learn from our holdings here. I’m always interested in finding out what information can be found in collections that might not have been the original intention of its creators or what you might think based on the title and summary. To find out, I selected a collection at random from the State Historical Society’s online catalog, fiNDhistory, and asked State Archives staff to tell me what other aspects of history they think this collection can shed some light on, apart from its main subject of genealogy.

Read the full blog article at https://blog.statemuseum.nd.gov/unpacking_state_archives_collection.

Congratulations to Fort Abercrombie State Historic Site on being voted best museum/gallery by the readers of the Wahpeto...
10/01/2026

Congratulations to Fort Abercrombie State Historic Site on being voted best museum/gallery by the readers of the Wahpeton Daily News and News Monitor!

09/29/2026

If you love research and working with the public, this is the perfect position for you as a research historian! You will conduct research using museum and archival collections to meet the diverse needs of our audiences, including agency staff. Through in-depth research, you will create meaningful connections to the agency’s collections by enhancing database records and linking related materials throughout the State Historical Society's collections. If you enjoy public speaking, you will have opportunities to provide dynamic, engaging behind-the-scenes museum collections tours, give public presentations, and serve as the primary collections representative for media inquiries and stories. You will also work closely with a cross-departmental team to develop engaging exhibits and publications by providing knowledge and stories that relate to selected artifacts.

Learn more and apply at https://bit.ly/4hsI2Ty

09/29/2026

We recently received a one-of-a-kind visitor, Miss Okayama. Learn about this unique Japanese friendship doll that is now part of our museum collection.

Address

612 E Boulevard Avenue
Bismarck, ND
58505

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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