The North Dakota Heritage Center on the Capitol Grounds in
Bismarck acts as a time machine. Through its doors visitors can discover dinosaurs, Plains Indian life, the Old West or Bonanza wheat farms. Step from an Indian camp into a homesteader's yard. The main gallery artfully tells the story of North Dakota: "The First People," "An Era of Change, 1738-1870," "The Settlement Period, 1870-1915," and "Bright Dreams and Hard Times, 1915-1945."
The Center houses the State Archives and Historical Research Library, auditorium and facilities for historic preservation, archeology, education, publications, administration and supervision of state historic sites.