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2021 Trail of Governors Annual Report

Trail Visitation Donor Opportunities

Even with a pandemic swirling, visitation was strong along the trail, in the As 2021 came to a close, just a few quarters for statue donors are available. This
communities of Pierre and Fort Pierre, and throughout South Dakota. The summer spotlights the foundation’s tremendous success in securing donorships, despite the
season was particularly busy with full to bursting campgrounds, parks and outdoor challenges brought on by the pandemic and its effects on the economy. These re-
recreation areas. maining donor-naming quarters, requiring a donation of $18,000 each, are separate
from funds contributed to the foundation’s Endowment Fund, and smaller dona-
Once again, the Run with the Govs event was hosted by the organizers, and tions made to the foundation’s General Fund.
many walked and ran along the trail on that fine June 12th morning in the
state’s capital city. 1st Governor Arthur C. Mellette, 1889-1893 – fully funded; unveiled in 2012
2nd Governor Charles H. Sheldon, 1893-1897 – fully funded; unveiled in 2021
A new event in 2021 was a Walk Through History held August 24, hosted by the
State Historical Society, working with Pierre Players, the local theater group, and 3rd Governor Andrew E. Lee, 1897-1901 – fully funded; scheduled for 2022
the trail’s foundation. Reenactors of Govs. Mellette, Crawford, George T. Mickelson, 4th Governor Charles N. Herreid, 1901-1905 – fully funded; unveiled in 2015
Vessey, and Herseth presented oral historical sketches of these governors at each 5th Governor Samuel H. Elrod, 1905-1907 – ½ funded; donor opportunities;
one’s statue. The event was part of South Dakota’s Celebration of Archives Month, unveiled in 2019
and the final stop for visitors during the event was at the State’s Archives at the 6th Governor Coe I. Crawford, 1907-1909 – ¾ funded; donor opportunities;
Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. This stop featured a selection of the governors’ unveiled in 2021
papers, revealing a glimpse into each one’s time in history as well as their character 7th Governor Robert S. Vessey, 1909-1913 – fully funded; unveiled in 2014
and temperament. The event was free to participants, and those receiving signatures 8th Governor Frank M. Byrne, 1913-1917 – ½ funded; donor opportunities;
from each re-enactor received a gift commemorating their visit back to earlier scheduled for 2022
South Dakota times. 9th Governor Peter Norbeck, 1917-1921 – fully funded; unveiled in 2014

10th Governor William H. McMaster, 1921-1925 – fully funded; unveiled in 2018
Funds Raised
11th Governor Carl Gunderson, 1925-1927 – fully funded; unveiled in 2021
Donations raised by the foundation totaled $2,253,669 at the close of 2021, since 12th Governor W.J. Bulow, 1927-1931 – ½ funded; donor opportunities; scheduled
the start of the project more than a decade ago. In 2021 alone, the total raised was for 2022
$228,400. Funds contributed for the foundation’s Endowment Fund now total 13th Governor Warren E. Green, 1931-1933– fully funded; unveiled in 2016
$24,853, and during 2021, $200 was raised for this fund.
14th Governor Tom Berry, 1933-1937 – fully funded; unveiled in 2017
A statue sponsorship is $72,000 with naming rights granted to any donor 15th Governor Leslie Jensen, 1937-1939 – fully funded; unveiled in 2017
contributing one-quarter, $18,000, or more for a statue. These donors are named 16th Governor Harlan Bushfield, 1939-1943 – fully funded; unveiled in 2012
on the brass plaques placed with each statue. All donors are listed on the Trail of 17th Governor M.Q. Sharpe, 1943-1947 – fully funded; unveiled in 2018
Governors’ website.

A vision to create a lasting legacy of South Dakota’s governors.