Director Biographies

Jay Vogt

Jay D. Vogt of Pierre is director of the South Dakota State Historical Society and State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO). Vogt came to work for the State Historical Society in 1987, serving in several capacities. In 1996, he was appointed the State Historic Preservation Officer and put in charge of building an efficient and effective historic preservation program in Pierre after its move from Vermillion. He was responsible for implementing the Deadwood Fund historic preservation grant program. Vogt became deputy director of the Society in 1999 and took over the day-to-day operation of the organization. As director of the State Historical Society since 2003, Vogt oversees the management of the five programs (archaeology, archives, museum, historic preservation, research and publishing) and the administrative and development units.

Vogt is currently president of the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers (NCSHPO) and serves on the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation which advises the President and Congress on preservation issues. He served as the first executive director of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, Inc. from 1994-1996, and chaired the 33 rd annual meeting of the Foundation when it was held in Pierre, SD, in 2001. Vogt was Deputy Secretary of State for Alice Kundert from 1978-1986.

Originally from Mitchell, SD, Vogt is a graduate of Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have three sons, Gabriel, Joshua, and Zachary.