2022 Guest Speakers
The CCHS hosts eight speakers per year who present on a variety of topics pertaining to Custer County history. Presentations are free and open to the public (donations welcome) and take place in the Pine Room at the Custer County Annex Building - just down the hall from the library on 447 Crook Street.
Historic Programs begin at 2:30pm
brief update from historical society president at 2pm
If you would like to be a CCHS speaker, please contact us.
November 5 • 2:30pm Pine Room Custer Annex
Memories from Vietnam
Live talk and video presentation by Marty Mahrt.
Mahrt will share stories and personal experiences from the Vietnam War.
In 2021 Marty was featured in a South Dakota Public Broadcasting presentation titled " Never Alone" as part of the"Old Guys and Their Airplanes" series from the South Dakota Air and Space Museum. February 10,2021 was declared Marty Mahrt in South Dakota by the Governor.
Marty is a Retired United States Air Force Colonel who flew a Republic F-105 Thunderchief which was a supersonic fighter-bomber used during the Vietnam War. He flew 102 missions but mission number 88 was different - he got shot down in enemy territory.
He received the Distinguished Flying Cross given for heroism in aerial flight. He also received a Purple Heart.
Marty and his wife Colleen created the Operation Black Hills Cabin organization, which caters to veterans and their families
Program is free & open to the public. Complimentary coffee will be served
December 3 • details coming soon
future speakers ...
TBA: Mark Thompson presents The History of Outlaw Ranch - including the story behind its name
Mark Thompson recently retired after 35 years as the facility manager at Outlaw Ranch Bible Camp and retreat center.
Mark grew up in Langford, SD and graduated from Augustana University, Sioux Falls. He taught school in Salem for 5 years, while working summers at Outlaw and Atlantic Mountain Ranches. He and his wife Bonnie moved to Custer in 1974. Their three sons were born at the Custer Hospital and graduated from Custer High School.
Old Time Country Fair
2023 dates TBD
The Old Time Country Fair, held on the museum grounds at 447 Mt Rushmore Road in Custer. Numerous vendors with hand-crafted items, jewelry, photography, books, food items and more.
Gold Discovery Days
July 14-16, 2023
Arts and Crafts Fair - Carnival - Kids Events - Car Show & More!
Custer’s first Gold Discovery commemoration was in July, 1921 when the community gathered to dedicate a native stone monument to H.N. Ross. Ross was a member of the 1874 Custer Expedition who discovered gold in French Creek near the present city of Custer. The Custer County Chronicle reported the event this way: "One of the largest crowds, estimated at several thousand, attended the dedicatory services and celebration commemorating the discovery of gold in the Black Hills, called the “Richest Hundred Miles Square” and the “Diamond Stickpin on the Bosom of the Earth.” . . . The evening was filled with wrestling matches, picture shows, dances and other entertainment."