Mayor Jason Salamun, joined by officials from the Journey Museum and Rapid City Public Library, has unveiled the schedule for Rapid City’s 150th Founder’s Day Anniversary, celebrating the community’s founding in February 1876. The multi‑month observance will feature exhibits, presentations, a time‑capsule opening, and historical content shared on the City’s social media platforms.
Mayor Salamun said the anniversary offers a moment to reflect on Rapid City’s history—its challenges, achievements, and the resilience of its people—and to consider the community’s future.
Key events in the 150th Founder’s Day celebration include:
- Vintage Rapid City Exhibit: A two‑month display of artifacts, photos, and news clippings at The Monument’s South Concourse, open through early April.
- “Then and Now” social media series: Historic photos, advertisements, profiles, and overviews of notable names and businesses.
- Public presentations at the Rapid City Public Library and Journey Museum on the city’s history.
- Founder’s Day Ceremony (Feb. 25): Held at the Journey Museum, including a ribbon‑cutting for a redesigned exhibit on Rapid City’s founding.
- Time Capsule Opening: Unearthing a 50‑year‑old time capsule at the Milo Barber Transportation Center, followed by an open house at City Hall featuring historical items and photos.
- Black Hills Symphony Orchestra Concert (Feb. 28): “Bright Horizons,” a musical tribute to the city featuring Mayor Salamun narrating Copland’s Lincoln Portrait.
Additional events will continue after February, including a youth art contest, a community photo at Main Street Square on May 22, and the burial of a new time capsule—with modern artifacts and the community photo—on May 29 in Founder’s Park. The Journey Museum will also host programming highlighting Rapid City’s history from a Native American perspective and open the “Monumental Memories” exhibit from May 22 to October 4.
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