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The collections contain objects relating to the history, natural history, archeology, and ethnology of North Dakota. They consist of about 1,050,000 items ranging from a 10,000-year-old mastodon, to a 1915 homesteader's claim shack, to 1990s youth soccer equipment. While many artifacts are on exhibit, others are stored in climate-controlled and secure areas specially designed to ensure their preservation for future generation. Artifacts are also on loan to other museums throughout North Dakota, the United States, and worldwide. All artifacts in the collections are available to researchers and the public, restricted only by the ultimate goal of preserving these artifacts for future generations. Artifacts and records of the division are available for viewing and research by appointment.
Use or duplication of images from the collections requires written permission. Forms for requesting permission to reproduce materials from the collections of the State Historical Society are available upon request. (Form available in html or .PDF) (For a free Adobe Acrobat viewer, go to the Adobe Web Site) The approved permission form will indicate the appropriate credit line. Send the completed form to "Museum Permissions," State Historical Society of North Dakota, at the address shown in the banner at the top of this page or e-mail shsmuseum@state.nd.us. Additional information may be found at Permission to Use Images and Photo Archives.

Research with collections
	Members of the Bismarck-Mandan Bird club sharpen their identification skills by studying specimens from the collections.
	As part of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial celebration, students from United Tribes Technical College study historic dance clubs prior to making replicas for exhibit at Monticello.
Cooperative Ventures
	Mandan History Club students learn about museum careers by cataloging a collection of 1920s clothing patterns from a Minnewaukan clothing store.
	In a cooperative effort, a mosasaur is installed in the Main Gallery of the North Dakota Heritage Center by staff and volunteers of the State Historical Society of North Dakota and the North Dakota Geological Survey.

Copyright ©1999-2003 State Historical Society of North Dakota. You are free to use information from these pages for any non-commercial purpose. Any use of this information should credit the State Historical Society of North Dakota. Photographs shown on the State Historical Society of North Dakota's web site are taken from the collections of the State Historical Society of North Dakota and may not be included in any publication, printed or online, without the written permission of the Society.