Founded by author and Augustana Professor Emeritus of English Dr. Herbert Krause, the center serves as a repository for more than 500 substantive archival collections and maintains a library in excess of 37,000 volumes on the American West.
In addition, the center holds an extensive art and artifact collection and sponsors annual events such as the Boe Forum, Dakota Conference and Artists of the Plains Art Show and Sale.
With more than 75 publications to its credit, the center is a major academic publisher in South Dakota.