A few days ago, I went to the mailbox and pulled out the latest edition of South Dakota History, the quarterly journal of the South Dakota Historical Society. I’ve subscribed since the early 1980s, but the arrival of this issue was particularly exciting.
The overall theme of Volume 53 Number 4 (Winter 2023) rotates around Laura Ingalls Wilder. There is an article about artist and illustrator Garth Williams, written by William Anderson. Next is a piece about Grace Ingalls Dow, written by Melanie Fishbane and Caroline Jones. The inside-back-cover “Dakota Images” topic summarizes the life of Carrie Ingalls Swanzey.
Between the article about Grace and the glimpse of Carrie is an article about the Hard Winter as seen through photography and art, written by yours truly. I feel quite honored to be included in this edition, and further honored to be published in the prestigious South Dakota History.
The article began as a talk I gave in De Smet in July 2023. This summer, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society had a special exhibit on display which featured sixty-six drawings by Garth Williams, as part of the seventieth anniversary of the release of the Williams-illustrated editions of the Little House books. My focus began with the photographs taken in southwestern Minnesota during the Hard Winter of 1880-81, and the factual situation they show, transitioning to the more emotional appeal of artwork, including a Harvey Dunn painting and Williams’ illustrations.
If you aren’t a South Dakota State Historical Member, you can purchase a copy of South Dakota History Volume 53 Number 4 here.
