"Creating Community on the Frontier" is the first of twenty-four modules of "The Dakota Experience" Web site from the South Dakota State Historical Society. Ultimately the site will feature the Cultural Heritage Center's "South Dakota Experience" permanent exhibit with expanded regional content, online interactives, additional collections objects, and more.

"Creating Community" leads the way, exploring the social history of frontier Dakota Territory through exhibit content, archival items, and an online interactive focusing on the gold rush town of Deadwood. This latter feature employs popular stereotypes of frontier characters to engage audiences while introducing multiple perspectives on frontier society.

The Dakota Experience pilot module has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities, promoting excellence in the humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed on this website do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.


The Dakota Experience pilot module has been made possible in part by funding from Reliabank Dakota.

Produced by the South Dakota State Historical Society and Educational Web Adventures (www.eduweb.com) in collaboration with the Institute for Regional Studies, North Dakota State University.

Summative evaluation of the pilot module was conducted by Minda Borun, Museum Solutions, with SDSHS and Eduweb staff. Read the report.