Days of '76 Celebration records
Scope and Contents
This collection contains administrative and organizational records pertaining to Deadwood’s annual Days of ’76 celebration and dating from 1904 to 2012. The collection includes correspondence, financial records, contracts, event programs, promotional materials, analog and digital photographs, photographic negatives, and video recordings. Since the Days of ’76 celebration was administered for many years by the Deadwood Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Commerce minutes, annual reports, correspondence, and related administrative records are included in the collection. Nell Perrigoue, Chamber of Commerce executive secretary, figures prominently in the correspondence. The collection is arranged in three series: Administrative and Subject Files, Research Files, and Audiovisual Materials.
The Administrative and Subject Files form the bulk of the collection and document the planning for and operations of the Days of ’76 celebration from 1924 to 2011. The series is arranged chronologically by decade, then alphabetically. Records include primarily correspondence, financial documents, contracts, and Chamber of Commerce records. Of particular note are files relating to the booking of rodeo competitors, specialty acts, and officials, as well as documentation on the Days of ’76 Museum. A group of files from the 1990s documents a legal case following a stagecoach accident during the 1990 celebration.
The Research Files are predominantly photocopies and notes compiled by Suzanne Julin in the early 2000s in preparation for histories of the Days of ’76 celebration, local Native American communities, Days of ’76 vehicles, and the Don Clowser collection. The series also includes research notes of other Days of ’76 volunteers and staff and a small number of books. The series is minimally processed. Many photocopies include notations that link them to Julin’s histories. Most of the original documents copied by Julin are included in the Administrative and Subject Files series, but some are from other collections and archives. A memorandum explaining Julin’s research is included in the series and provides a good access point. One of Julin’s histories of the Days of ’76 is included in this series and others can be viewed in the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center’s vertical research files.
The Audiovisual Materials series consists of analog and digital photographs, photographic negatives, slides, and video recordings dating from the 1920s to 2011. The series is arranged in subseries by medium. Each subseries is arranged alphabetically by subject and then chronologically.
Dates
- Majority of material found within Bulk, 1924-2012
- 1904-2012
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is housed at the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center with no restrictions to access. The collection may be utilized during normal operating hours or by appointment.
Biographical / Historical
Since its beginning in 1924, the Days of '76 has been Deadwood's annual city celebration. Typically occurring over three or four days in July or August, the Days of ’76 celebration has attracted both local residents and tourists to its various events focused on the town’s early history as an 1876 Black Hills Gold Rush boom town. The most famous and long-lasting Days of ’76 events are the historical parade down Main Street and the award-winning Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) rodeo. Other events have included reenactments of the murder of Wild Bill Hickok and trial of Jack McCall, carnivals, pageants, chariot races, and mining demonstrations.
The Days of ’76 celebration was first held on August 15 and 16, 1924. Facing Prohibition and the dwindling prosperity of local mines, Deadwood’s leaders sought to emphasize the town’s Gold Rush origins, honor its first residents, and increase its importance as a tourist destination. The Deadwood Business Club was instrumental in the organization of the first event. From the 1930s, the Days of ’76 celebration was administered by the Deadwood Chamber of Commerce and a Days of ’76 Executive Committee. In the 1970s, the Days of ’76 Committee became independent.
The first Days of ’76 included an historic parade, historical reenactments, and horse riding and racing exhibitions. The parade, which continues to be featured in the annual celebration, has included a large number of historic reenactors, historic horse- and ox-drawn vehicles, and floats commemorating Deadwood’s early history. Historical vehicles, clothing, and memorabilia used in the parade and other Days of ’76 events were gathered into the Days of ’76 Museum in the 1970s. In 2013, the Days of ’76 Museum opened a new, state-of-the-art facility.
The rodeo—the other mainstay of the Days of ’76—was firmly established by 1929. In the 1920s, the celebration featured exhibitions of horse riding and horse racing and the gradual addition of rodeo-style events. For many years, the rodeo continued to feature a variety of specialty acts in addition to adjudicated competitions. By the 1950s, the rodeo had become the premier event of the annual celebration. Championship cowboys from throughout the professional rodeo circuit have competed in Deadwood, including noted South Dakotan Casey Tibbs. The Days of ’76 Rodeo has been named the Rodeo of the Year by the PRCA numerous times in first the small rodeo and then the medium rodeo categories. As of 2016, the Days of ’76 Rodeo has been the PRCA Medium Rodeo of the Year for thirteen consecutive years.
Extent
23.5 Linear feet (24 boxes; 3 oversize folders)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This collection contains administrative and organizational records pertaining to the annual Days of '76 celebration in Deadwood, South Dakota. Beginning in 1924, the celebration honors the unique history of the Deadwood mining camp from its establishment in 1876. Over the years, the celebration has grown to include pageants, parades, queen contests, community involvement, and a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association-recognized rodeo. The collection features correspondence, financial records, contracts, event programs, promotional materials, photographs, and video recordings.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged in three series: Administrative and Subject Files, Research Files, and Audiovisual Materials. The Administrative and Subject Files series is arranged chronologically by decade and then alphabetically. The Research Files and Audiovisual Materials series are arranged alphabetically by subject and then chronologically. Oversize materials from all series are arranged together and described by separation notes within the series.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
These materials were transferred as one donation from the Chamber of Commerce for the City of Deadwood in June 2016. Some of the programs may have been donated by the Coburn Family.
Processing Information
These materials were processed June-December 2016 by Jessica Michak. Assistance provided by Randi Sue Smith and Claudia Howell. Final processing was completed by Jenna Himsl in August and September 2017. Materials found in the Days of '76 Museum were integrated by Tia Stenson in March 2022.
- Title
- Days of '76 Celebration Records, 1904-2012 5006
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Jessica Michak, finalized by Jenna Himsl, updated by Tia Stenson
- Date
- September 2017
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- March 2022: Additional Materials found in the Days of '76 Museum were added by Tia Stenson.
Repository Details
Part of the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center Repository
PO Box 252
150 Sherman St
Deadwood South Dakota 57732
605-722-4800