Groovin’ to the 70s Beat!
The Museum Brings Back 1970s Entertainment
(July 12 - Aubust 30, 2010)

A life-sized Darth Vader invaded the Dacotah Prairie Museum along with Star Wars starships, figurines and light sabers.  Glamorous Cher, in her orange mini dress and knee high suede boots, could also be seen against a backdrop of Disco balls, roller skates and phonograph albums by artists like Three Dog Night, The Carpenters, Elton John and The Eagles.  Entertainment from the 1970s was featured in the Dacotah Prairie Museum’s look at 1970, a year-long celebration of the DPM’s 40th anniversary in its historic building on Main Street.

Memorabilia from all aspects of entertainment was highlighted in this exhibit.  Posters advertising classic movies such as “The Godfather,” “Grease”, “Saturday Night Fever”, “Rocky” and “Dirty Harry” are paired with TV memories from favorites like “The Brady Bunch”, “Little House on the Prairie”, “Three’s Company”,  “ Happy Days” and “All in the Family”.  Who can forget great TV characters like Archie Bunker and Arthur “The Fonz” Fonazrelli who entertained us every week.  One of TV’s all time favorite daily shows, “The Young and the Restless” debuted in 1973 and attracted a new audience to the world of the “soap opera”.

Communication in the 70s included a fore-runner of today’s cell phone—the CB Radio.  The national craze inspired many to install CBs in their cars, trucks and tractors to provide entertainment as well as necessary communication.  Each user had his/her “handle” or code name, and the language was not unlike the abbreviated code of today’s texting, except it was all verbal.  A list of popular CB lingo is part of the exhibit for all to remember and enjoy.

Crafts of the era included string art, ceramics, and macramé.  Sewing “far-out” clothing and wearing handmade jewelry and beads were the fashion statement of the innovative 1970s.

Whatever your interest or age, you had a great time remembering (or learning about) the 1970s at the Dacotah Prairie Museum. 

To view past exhibits, click here.