Volunteer Hours in 2025: 652, Volunteer Hours in 2026: Counting
OPEN HOUSES: (The Black Hills Passion Play Museum and Dolls at Home are also open during this time). Raised so far: $750
MAY 29: OPEN HOUSE to see the future Spearfish Museum main building, 421 Meier Ave., Fri, May 29, 1-6 PM; Suggested donation: $10; Theme: “Historical Photos of Spearfish and Long-Time Families.”
JULY 31: OPEN HOUSE to see the future Spearfish Museum main building, 421 Meier Ave., Fri, July 31, 1-6 PM; Theme: “Christmas in July.” Displays of international nativity sets (over 50) from Jo Powell’s unique private collection. Suggested donation: $10/per individual. BONUS: Each $10+ donor will receive a token for a scoop of Leones' Creamery delicious ice cream. Hosted by Jo, Johanna, and Marian.
AUG 28: OPEN HOUSE to see the future Spearfish Museum main building, 421 Meier Ave., Fri, August 28, 1-6 PM; Suggested donation: $10; Theme: “Arne Koski’s Spearfish History”, featuring amazing never-before-seen photos and memorabilia. BONUS: A massage certificate ($65 value) for the first person who donated $50 at the Open House.
FUNDRAISING and FREE Events:
JUNE 27: ICE CREAM SOCIAL - completed, woohoo! Raised $551.00
JULY 3: SPEARFISH AMERICA 250 PARADE - completed, woohoo! Free event
JULY 25: CELEBRATE SPEARFISH 150 - GRILL OUT PARTY - completed, woohoo! Raised $480.00
AUG 22: WESTERN CHUCKWAGON SUPPER - completed! Raised: $~$2300
SEPT 12: HARVEST FESTIVAL: Sat., Sept 12, 10 - 2 pm. (FREE EVENT).
OCT 3: BRUSHES & HISTORY, A Plein-Air Paint Out Partnership with MOH, (FREE EVENT)
OCT 15: THE ROOTS of SPEARFISH, Part 1: RESILIENCE
$20.00 | 421 Meier Avenue | no walk-ins | choice of: 2 pm or 7 pm lecture
When Spearfish was founded in 1876, most Black Hills settlements were little more than “camps”, temporary towns expected to disappear when the gold ran out, or the next fire drove residents away. Spearfish had other ideas.
Part 1: RESILIENCE will tell the story of how this determined community took root and thrived, thanks to bold personalities who mastered high-elevation farming, helped build the Great Plains cattle trade, shaped frontier government, and faced down the fires that threatened to destroy it all.Cookies and punch afterwards.
This lecture series was developed exclusively for the Spearfish Museum by Paul Higbee, who will lead each lecture and facilitate a discussion following the presentation. Higbee is a longtime Spearfish resident, South Dakota Magazine writer and contributing editor, and author of seven notable books. Higbee graduated from Black Hills State University and the University of Notre Dame and is a member of the Spearfish Historical Society.
Community Presentations about the Spearfish Museum (open to the public):
Spearfish Museum Ribbon Cutting, Chamber of Commerce, Meier House, Jan 8, 12:30 PM
Open House Tour, Meier House, Jan 11, 2:00 PM
Spearfish School Board Presentation, Business Office, Jan 12, 5:30 PM
Rotary Club Meeting Presentation, Holiday Inn, Jan 14, 12:00 PM
Spearfish Souper Stars Presentation, Senior Center, Jan 20, 6:00 PM
Lions Club Presentation, Holiday Inn, Jan 26, 6:00 PM
PEO Presentation, Feb 10, 1:30 PM
NHRSP Presentation, Senior Center, Feb 16, 1:00 PM
Senior Group Presentation, Senior Center, Feb 27, 2:00 PM
Geek Speak Presentation, BHSU, Jonas 1Room10, Mar 9, 4 PM
Opera House Bellman Brown Bag Meeting, Matthews Opera House, Sept. 9.
Committee Meetings for Spearfish Museum (private, members only):
Presentation and Strategy Development: Summer 2025
Open Session Meeting: Oct 3, 2025, BHSU, Library Conf Room 210, 3:10 PM
Advisory Committee Meeting: Nov 11, 2025, Meier House, 5:00 PM
Outreach Committee Meeting: Dec 8, 2025, Rosalie’s House, 5:00 PM
Outreach Committee Meeting: Dec 15, 2025, Rosalie's House, 5:15 PM
Advisory Committee Meeting: Jan 27, 2026, Meier House, 5:15 PM
Outreach Committee Meeting: Feb 19, 2026, Rosalie's House, 5:15 PM
Advisory Committee Meeting: Feb 23, 2026, Meier House, 5:15 PM
Business Strategy Meeting: Feb 25, 2026, Rosalie’s House, 2:00 PM
Advisory Committee Meeting: Mar 23, 2026, Meier House, 5:15 PM
Advisory Committee Meeting: Apr 13, 2026, Meier House, 5:15 PM
Advisory Committee Meeting: May 18 2026, Henry’s Books, 5:15 PM
Development Committee Meeting, June 29, 2026, 5:15 PM, Chamber of Commerce conference room
Development Committee Meeting, July 27, 2026, 5:15 PM, Chamber of Commerce conference room
Development Committee Meeting, Aug 31, 2026, 5:15 PM, Chamber of Commerce conference room
Development Committee Meeting, Sept 29, 2026, 5:15 PM, Chamber of Commerce conference room
Development Committee Meeting, Oct 26, 2026, 5:15 PM, Chamber of Commerce conference room - canceled
No meetings in November and December
Development Committee Meeting, Jan 26, 2027, 5:15 PM, Chamber of Commerce conference room