Description

 Preservation Thursday: The Quips of Governor Tom Berry – Laughing through the Dust Bowl
Deadwood History, Inc. and the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission will host a presentation on the story of South Dakota Governor Tom Berry by author and historian, Paul Higbee. The event is wheelchair accessible.  Please feel free to bring your lunch.

As South Dakotans endured the Great Depression and developing Dust Bowl in 1932, they elected a cowboy as their governor. Tom Berry rode in the great, iconic 1902 cattle roundup ordered by President Theodore Roosevelt. He established the successful Double X ranch next to the Badlands. Big voiced and tireless, Berry commanded the attention of all, including President Franklin Roosevelt, who broke protocol and called him “Tom” or “Cowboy” in White House meetings. Berry faced bitter political rivalries and weather that threatened to blow South Dakotans off their land, but he is remembered for his humorous wit throughout. Author Paul S. Higbee traces the history of South Dakota and its governor. 
 
Paul Higbee is a Spearfish resident, and has been South Dakota Magazine's Black Hills correspondent and columnist since 1991.  He was lead writer for South Dakota Public TV's Dakota Pathways, a history series for children that won a Regional Emmy in 2005.  In 2000 he was the recipient of the Governor's History Award, and is the author of books covering the history of Bear Butte, Spearfish Canyon and the community of Spearfish.
Higbee is a graduate of Black Hills State University and the University of Notre Dame.  He and his wife Janet have two adult daughters and a grandson, all living in the Black Hills.  
Preservation Thursday is co-sponsored by the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission, Deadwood History, Adams-Mastrovich Family Foundation, Saloon No. 10, Fresh Paint, Historic Homestake Opera House, Jerry Greer's Engineering, Deadwood Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, and tdg Marketing & Public Relations.