Pictured: Aberdeen Public Schools Foundation Executive Director Gretchen Sharp with the Dakota Territory map at CHS.
ABERDEEN, S.D. – Aberdeen Central High School students are now able to view an original Dakota Territory map, thanks to a CHS alumnus.
The map, printed in 1866, hangs on the wall in Central’s library with an informational plaque.
The map was donated to the Aberdeen Public Schools Foundation by John E. Miller, who graduated from Central in 1943 and was inducted into the CHS Hall of Fame in 2007.
Miller’s career involved working with the Apollo guidance, navigation and control system for the flight vehicles to the moon, according to information from the Aberdeen Public Schools Foundation. He was appointed Technical Director for the systems development at MIT and participated in all Apollo flights through Apollo 11.
Miller, who now lives in Florida, purchased the authentic Dakota Territory map in the 1950s from Goodspeed’s Book Shop in Boston, Mass.
“John donated it to the Aberdeen Public Schools Foundation on the condition that it would be displayed at Aberdeen Central High School for our students to enjoy, not stored away where no one would see it,” said Foundation Executive Director Gretchen Sharp. “He wants our students to have the opportunity to see and appreciate a piece of history.”
About the Aberdeen Public School District
The Aberdeen Public School District provides a comprehensive educational program to approximately 4,200 students in grades K-12, with a mission of empowering all students to succeed in a changing world. Our students receive the knowledge and skills necessary to reach their potential in a global community through high expectations of academic achievement; diverse educational opportunities; and community involvement in a safe, supportive environment. Learn more at aberdeen.k12.sd.us.