STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY HIGHLIGHTING MUSEUM COLLECTION ONLINE.

PIERRE, SD -- The following information was released by the South Dakota state government:

The museum of the South Dakota State Historical Society at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre is bringing its collection to life on the Internet.

Collection Spotlight is a new museum series hosted by Curator of Collections Dan Brosz. The series launched on the museum's YouTube page in late September. Collection Spotlight offers online visitors a behind-the-scenes look and in-depth history of artifacts from the museum collection.

YouTube is a popular online video sharing website. Visit www.youtube.com/user/SDSHSMuseum to view Collection Spotlight.

In honor of Halloween, the museum is focusing on artifacts with a dark history. Recent episodes include a Bible from a former murder suspect and an artifact linked to notorious South Dakota gangster Verne Miller.

"Social Media is such a dynamic way for the museum to engage with our online visitors to share more broadly what we do," said Helen B Louise, museum director.

Collection Spotlight airs via the museum's YouTube and Facebook pages. Curious browsers can find the museum online at www.history.sd.gov/museum. From there, you will find links to the museum's Facebook, Flickr and YouTube pages.

The museum is located northeast of the State Capitol at 900 Governors Drive . The hours are 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. CDT Monday-Saturday, and 1-4:30 p.m. Sundays and most holidays. There is a small admission fee for those ages 18-and-older. For more information, visit www.history.sd.gov or call (605) 773-3458.

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The South Dakota State Historical Society is a division of the Depart me nt of Tourism and State Development and strives to help the state meet the goals of the 2010 Initiative by enhancing history as a tool for economic development and cultural tourism. The society is headquartered at the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre . The center houses the society's world-class museum, the archives, and the historic preservation, publishing and administrative/develop me nt offices. Call (605) 773-3458 or visit www.history.sd.gov for more information. The society also has an archaeology office in Rapid City ; call (605) 394-1936 for more information.