Preservation, Discovery & Research
Academic DepartmentThe Preservation, Discovery & Research Department is committed to the discovery of rare and distinctive collections to advance the mission of the University of South Dakota.
Contact Us
414 E. Clark St.
Vermillion SD 57069
Monday - Friday
9 - 5 p.m.
Welcome to the Preservation, Discovery & Research Department
Committed to advancing the mission of the University of South Dakota, the department discovers, collects and preserves rare and distinctive materials, including archival records, manuscripts, rare books, photographs, maps, oral histories, film and video. The department serves as a commons for teaching, learning, research and community connection.
Our Programs
Curating Resources
ThAT DOCUMENT:
The Dakota Territory Papers Project & South Dakota
The Dakota Territory Papers Project (DTPP) is a developing digital scholarly editing initiative at USD documenting the pivotal era of 1861–1889. By digitizing and annotating scattered archival records, the project will produce a scholarly digital edition detailing how the Civil War, westward expansion and federal policy led to North and South Dakota statehood.
The University of South Dakota Archives
The USD Archives holds the records of the academic and administrative departments of USD as well as materials relating to the history of USD and the activities of its students, faculty, and alumni. The primary purpose of the USD Archives is to collect and preserve records pertaining to the origin and history of the university. The collection materials date back as far as 1862.
Indigenous Histories
The American Indian Research Project (AIRP) holds items of Native American history, especially that of the northern Great Plains. More than fifty tribal nations are represented in the AIRP. USD gathered the majority of these oral history recordings in the 1960s and 1970s through the work of Joseph Harper Cash and Herbert T. Hoover, both longtime professors at the University of South Dakota.
Federal & State Government
Documents and publications issued by South Dakota state agencies are retained permanently for the purpose of historical research.
History of Violin & Stringed Instruments
Holding more than 4,800 books, periodicals, pamphlets, and ephemera, the Mahoney Music Collection is one of the most complete collections in the United States pertaining to stringed instruments, particularly the violin family of instruments.
History of Medicine
The Christian Peter Lommen Health Sciences Rare Books collection is a small collection of rare medical texts, objects, and films. Materials in this collection range from 1735-1980 and cover a variety of health and medical sciences topics including human anatomy, pharmacopeia, and virology.
The Faye Cashatt Lewis Health Sciences Archives holds the administrative records and history of the USD School of Medicine.
Meet the Staff
Daniel Daily
Ryan Burdge
Diane Frigge
Sarah Hanson-Pareek
Ryan Mews
Doris Peterson
Cailey Schendel
