Hi, I’m Cathy Dahl, a volunteer for the Hermosa Arts & History Association (HAHA), in Hermosa, South Dakota. Hermosa is on the eastern edge of the Black Hills, not far from Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Custer State Park. Our museum is in need of a new roof. The cost of the repair is very high due to the steep slope of the roof and having to remove 3 previous layers of roofing.

In 1999, this old, original school (built in 1889), was slated to be torn down. A small group of concerned citizens, who recalled its rich history, stepped up to save it. They wanted to preserve the building that had educated the pioneer children of Custer County and had been rolled down the street on logs to become a Masonic Lodge. They remembered their families going to country dances, playing with their friends until they fell asleep on benches while their parents and the rest of the community adults danced the night away. This building had been an integral part of the small town of Hermosa (pop. 380) for 110 years and to see it reduced to a pile of rubble was unthinkable. They bought the building for $1.00 and formed Hermosa Arts and History Association.

For the next 25 years, working with money raised from the community and grants, HAHA constructed a new, badly-needed foundation, made the building handicapped accessible, built a handicapped-accessible bathroom, stabilized the building, built a new staircase, insulated the walls, repaired the stucco and refinished the floor. Finally, on Mother’s Day of 2024, the one and only museum in Hermosa, SD opened its doors!

With an eye to the future, HAHA began to save for renovating the second story. Plans were made to provide archival storage, office space and classrooms to serve the community. But after an exceptionally wet summer including hail storms, the roof was leaking. The bid to replace the roof is $55,000. HAHA has $27,000 from insurance and money slated for second story renovation leaving $28,000 short to replace the roof.

HAHA’s mission statement defines the group’s purposes:

-- The preservation of our local history.

-- The education of our youth.

-- The promotion of visual, written and performing arts in Hermosa.

-- We encourage Community involvement.

HAHA welcomes you to follow our renovation progress on our website, www.hermosahistory.org, facebook.com/hermosahistory. Be sure to stop in when you visit the Black Hills!

We sincerely want to continue with this mission. It won't be possible if we don't have a roof. Can you help?

Every dollar counts. Together, we can make a difference! Please consider donating to support the Hermosa Arts & History Association. Thank you.