Kid's Activity Day

May 16th Native American Crafts Learn about the art of native cultures!

June 20th Summer Vacation Create some vacation fun!

May / June Meeting Schedule

Siouxland Heritage Museums Board
May 2nd and June 6th at 11:30 a.m.

Siouxland Heritage Museums Alliance Board
May 9th and June 13th at 5:30 p.m.

Sioux Valley Genealogical Society
May 2nd and June 6th at 7 p.m.

Minnehaha County Historical Society
May 16th at 6 p.m. and June 20th at 7 p.m.

Learn to swing dance May 19th and June 2nd and 23rd at the Old Courthouse Museum! Beginning swing lessons are from 1-1:30 with open dancing from 1:30-4 p.m. No partner needed, all ages welcome!

Researching Your Historic House Program at the Old Courthouse Museum May 23rd
Would you like to learn more about your historic house? If so, we can help you find the resources to learn more about all of the things you have always wondered, like when your home was built and if any additions or changes were made to the home or yard. Admission is free, call 367-4210 ext. 0 to register.

Enjoy tea in the unique setting of the Pettigrew Home & Museum at the Victorian Tea Party on Wednesday, May 22nd at 2 p.m. Space is limited for this free adult program, please call 367-7097 to register.

The Minnehaha County Historical Society will host its annual meeting at the Old Courthouse Museum on Thursday, May 16th featuring Dakota Uprising author Curtis A. Dahlin.

Old Courthouse Museum Summer Plaza Concert Series 2013

June 7th
Danny Santos
Texas troubadour & tunesmith

Singer/songwriter Danny Santos melds the inspiration of his Chicano heritage, a musical legacy ranging from Hank Williams to the Beatles, and a Texas-sized determination to create a unique mix of country/folk tinged with bluegrass and the blues. His songs illuminate the joys of true love, the woes of love lost, and the weary longing of those still searching for love. It's a style forged from maturity, grit and drive. Danny Possesses a strong expressive voice and a compelling on stage presence, whether appearing solo or fronting his all-acoustic band, Los Bluegrass Vatos. Born in South Texas, Danny began playing the guitar at age thirteen. Singing and songwriting seemed to naturally follow soon after. Heavily influenced by the likes of Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark & that whole Texas singer/songwriter genre, he continues to create his own brand of quality Texas music.

June 14th
Jensen & Bugge
Danish Folk Duo

JENSEN & BUGGE already met as kids when they lived at 3 kms distance from each other - near Vejle on the Danish mainland, Jutland. Although they got on the bus at the same stop through most of the school years, it lasted long before they discovered that they shared interest in playing folk music. In fact they only really came to enjoy each other's company, after they both in (in 2001) attended the studies at the Carl Nielsen Music Academy in Odense, Denmark.

JENSEN & BUGGE has extensive experiences of playing for dancing, both together and separately or with other musicians, as well as teaching workshops and playing lots of concerts in many countries. They have toured in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Faroe Islands, Poland, South Korea, USA and Canada.

June 21st
The Cartwright Brothers
Original Acoustic & Family Comedy

The Cartwright Brothers are Mark Nelson and Jeff Schwebach. (Yes, that's right, they're not really brothers.) For over two decades, these two blokes have been roaming around the Midwest, leaving behind them a trail of silly that would make a weaker man shudder.

June 28th
Bjarv
Swedish Folk Trio

From the far provinces of Sweden comes the music of  Bjärv, an exciting, traditional Swedish Folk Trio.

Bjärv's fresh, contemporary interpretations of traditional Swedish folk songs breathe new life into the music of the 18th century. Infused with youthful charm, their innovative, stunning 3-part harmonies and show-stopping improvisational musicianship make their live performances a memorably rocking good time for all audiences.

Artist James Pollock Presents U.S. Vietnam Combat Art June 9th
Former Vietnam Combat Artist James Pollock will give a free interactive presentation about the U.S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Program at Old Courthouse Museum on Sunday, June 9th, 2013, at 2 p.m.

The presentation is history and art wrapped into one package and is a great opportunity for the public to see Vietnam through the eyes of artists. The program will be an overview of the U.S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Program and will include digital images from the U.S. Army Center of Military History Army Art Collection by over 40 different Vietnam soldier artists.

In June of 1966 the U.S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Program was established, utilizing teams of soldier artists to make pictorial records and interpretations for the annals of army military history. In 1967 Jim Pollock was selected and served on U.S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Team IV (CAT IV). All of the original art done by this cadre of over 40 army artists is permanently housed in the U.S. Army Center of Military History Army Art Collection in Washington, DC.

Over the past several years, Pollock has contacted artists from the other eight 5-man soldier art teams that served in Vietnam. Those former Vietnam Combat Artists have sent him photos of their teams and themselves at work during this period of history. From his research material James documents his own paintings and drawings as well as the work of more than 40 other soldier artists that participated in the U.S. Army Vietnam Combat Art Program.

Class at the Old Courthouse Museum June 24th-26th
Rosemaling is a style of decorative painting on wood using a series of flowers, leaves, scrolls, and geometric figures. It is believed to have been developed in Norway in the mid-eighteenth century. Throughout the upper-Midwest region of the US, Norwegian immigrants brought this craft with them and it became  popular for decoration of many trunks and household items. These pieces are still treasured by families today.  The colors are bold, the designs elaborate, and pieces are true works of art.

Have you ever wanted to try rosemaling, but weren’t sure how to get started?  Eileen Halverson will teach one class over three days this June at the Old Courthouse Museum for participants from high school age to adult. Participants should plan on attending all three days. The first class on June 24th will be a workshop that will explain the basics behind rosemaling, the tools, designs, and the strokes used in painting.  There will be homework. The classes on June 25th and 26th will be full days of painting a project.  Each class will start at 9:30 a.m. and conclude at 4:00 p.m.  There will be a fee of $15 to cover the cost of materials due on the day of the program.  Space is limited. Call the OCM at 367-4210 ext. 0 to register.

Eileen Halverson will be demonstrating the Norwegian folk art of Rosemaling (decorative painting) in the second floor hallway of the Old Courthouse Museum on May 21st from 1-4 p.m. Stop in any time during the afternoon for a demonstration or to ask questions!

Photo and Archival Preservation Program at the Old Courthouse Museum June 5th

Do you have important photos or documents you would like to preserve?  If so, the Old Courthouse Museum will host a Photo and Archival Preservation Program at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 5th. The program will focus on the proper storage techniques and handling procedures to use and Participants are encouraged to bring samples of their own documents.  Space is limited, call 367-4210 to register.