May 20, 2026 - May 23, 2026 As part of Deadwood’s 150th Anniversary Celebration, award-winning author and historian Chris Enss brings the stories of bold, unconventional women of the West to life during a four-day series of presentations, performances, and special events, May 20–23, 2026.
The highlight of the series takes place on Friday, May 22, during the highly anticipated Save Our Tail Events. Enss appears in full period costume as legendary Madam Dora DuFran to commemorate the spirited 1980 “Save Our Tail” parade, an impromptu march that followed the closure of Deadwood’s brothels. A reenactment of the “bust of the brothels” begins at 1:00 p.m. on Main Street, followed immediately by a parade celebrating the community’s defiant and colorful history.
The afternoon continues at 2:30 p.m. with a screening of Nita: Hotbed in Deadwood in the Eagle Bar beneath The Brothel Deadwood. Filmmaker Justin Koehler will host a discussion following the film, offering insight into Deadwood’s complex past and the women who shaped it.
The Johnny Lonesome Band will perform at the Eagle Bar from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., and at The Nugget Saloon from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Additional programming throughout the week includes:
- May 20, 4:00 p.m. – Deadwood Library: A family-friendly program highlighting trailblazing women physicians and teachers of the frontier.
- May 21, 12:00 p.m. – Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center: Enss presents The Widowed Ones: Beyond the Battle of the Little Bighorn, exploring the resilience of seven military wives after the battle.
- May 23, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. – The Brothel Deadwood: Book signings, presentations, Faro games, and tours celebrating Enss’s work, including Wicked Women and An Open Secret.
Join Deadwood History, Inc. and the City of Deadwood in celebrating the fierce, complex, and unforgettable women of the American West – brought vividly to life by two leading storytellers.
Co-sponsored by the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission, Adams-Mastrovich Family Foundation, Deadwood History, Inc., Deadwood Alive, Deadwood Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, Deadwood Public Library, Chris Enss, Northland Auto, and the Silverado Franklin Historic Hotel & Gaming Complex, and The Nugget Saloon.
