Mills honored with preservation award

The South Dakota State Historical Society honored Rick Mills, curator of the South Dakota State Railroad Museum for his contributions to historical preservation.

Mills received his award at a luncheon in Pierre on April 22. Mills says he is appreciative of the many friends and family “ took time out of their schedule to come to the event.”

The award itself was a surprise to Mills, despite knowing he was being nominated by Linda Hasselstrom of Hermosa. Hasselstrom nominated Mills for several reasons.” He’s always been at the forefront of a lot of good things happening in Hermosa,” Hasselstrom said. She says unlike many award nominees, Mills isn’t seeking attention. “He’s just always done these things,” she says about Mills’ involvement in Hermosa, his home town.

Mills has been instrumental in bringing businesses and community members together to help shape the future of Hermosa. He is one of the founders of HAHA, the Hermosa Arts and History Association, dedicated to preserving the town’s history as well as promoting the arts. Hasselstrom said Mills was “ instrumental” in the acquisition of the  Hermosa Masonic Lodge, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009.

 “I never gave it another thought,”said Mills after learning Hasselstrom had nominated him.

“There were so many folks in the history community in South Dakota  that I thought were much more worthy of the award than I am,” Mills said humbly. 

When he received the phone call telling him he had won the award for preservation of history this year Mills said it was out of “left field”and that he was “shocked.”

 

Mills was honored alongside his mentor and friend. Dr David Wolff who won a lifetime service award. “ It was really neat  that we were able to be inducted at the same time.”

In addition to his work on preserving history, Mills’ is the premiere  authority on all things related to the railroad in the state. He notes how blessed he is to be following his passion and sharing it with others. “ It’s something I’ve unconsciously always dreamed of being able to do, but now that I'm doing it it’s really very humbling.”

This award, he says, legitimizes his lifetime interest in history and the railroads.

The interest came at a very young age. He recalls his grandparents.who were both amateur historians, instilling a sense of history in him, encouraging his reading of historical books. 

Mills gives presentations about the history of the railroads throughout the state. Railroads were essential to the growth  of South Dakota. “Where the railroads went, that's where towns were created,” Mills explains. “ It was an integral part of our everyday life.”

Mills has written six books and  co-authored four as a chronicler of history. His books “ tell stories, tell people stories.” He takes the same approach to the museums he’s been involved in. “You’ve got to put a story to it.That's what people are interested in.”

Mills hopes he has the same impact on others as his grandparents had on him.”I’ve done my job,” Mills says, when a grandchild comes into the museum with a grandparent and makes a connection.

Mills will display the award in his museum office, so more people can see it and for inspiration. “ Every time I go in my office and look at it I’ll  say ‘ what am I doing right today,what do I need to do differently today.’”

The South Dakota State Railroad Museum opens for the season on May 13,which is also National Train Day. Admission that day will be free.

At noon the three new inductees to the South Dakota Railroad Hall of Fame will be announced. 

Mills encourages people to stop by the museum and see the new exhibits including the improvements to the model train display.