Passion for the Past

Clowser Collection

Don Clowser was a "self-made man." During his 89 years he held many jobs but is best known as historian, owner of the Deadwood Trading Post and a collector of art and artifacts of the American West.

Don's life-long connection with Deadwood, as well as with the Days of '76 , began when he first came to Deadwood at the age of 12, in the summer of 1926. While traveling through the South Dakota Badlands in 1926 he observed American Indians traveling in covered wagons on their way to participate in the Days of '76 Celebration. Don cemented his connection with Deadwood through his 35 year membership in the Days of '76 Committee, the organization he requested house and care for the collection.

When visitors view the Clowser Collection, they often wonder, "did one man really collect all of this?" Yes, one man collected it all. He found things wherever his curiosity or relationships took him. Some were received in trade in his second hand stores and trading posts. Some were purchased at auctions. Some were gifts, some were found, some were salvaged from the Deadwood dump.

Twiss jacket
Clowser Collection

To Don, every item had a story, whether it was a photograph, a firearm, or a piece of rope. It was the story that intrigued him, not the monetary value of a piece. He marveled at the work of the Sioux. "Imagine a culture that would not only make use of every part of the animal, but also took the time to make everyday things beautiful",he said. Don was a searcher, a philosopher, a poet, author, a father, a husband and a friend.

Beaded Moccasins
Clowser Collection

Don Clowser

The quality of the collection is uneven, from rare gems to commonplace 'junk'. All were interesting and had value to Don. The thread holding this collection together, much as there is a continuous weave throughout a tapestry, is one man's delight in the world.

Photographs and artifacts from the museum collections