The South Dakota State Historical Society is recognizing Reliabank with 2020 Governor’s Awards for History for their efforts in preserving state history.
“These people and organizations represent the best of our state,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “Through their efforts, South Dakota history will be preserved for future generations.”
“We are pleased to give out these awards,” said Jay D. Vogt, director of the State Historical Society at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. “These are just a few of the shining examples of how people across the state are helping us in our efforts to promote, nurture, and sustain South Dakota history.”
Reliabank is an organizational winner and is celebrating 100 years of doing business in 2020. Reliabank, under the direction of David and Jan Johnson, has been involved in several historic-preservation projects in the Watertown area, including the First State Bank of Hazel, now known as Reliabank of Hazel, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. The bank pledged $250,000 to Friends of Goss Opera House Main Hall, to be renamed Reliabank Hall, and the bank has facilitated loans for a revolving loan program for Historic South Dakota.
The South Dakota State Historical Society is a division of the Department of Education. The State Historical Society, an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, 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/development 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.
