The State Historical Society manages 56 state historic sites in North Dakota, as well as two state museums -- the North Dakota Heritage Center in Bismarck, and the Pembina State Museum in Pembina. They also manage the Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center at the Fort Buford State Historic Site located 23 miles southwest of Williston. The State Historical Society has operated as ND's department of history, archeology and archives since 1895.

The agency has 57 full-time employees and more than 200 volunteers working in its four divisions. It has acquired historic sites, artifacts, books and documents through donation and purchase; promotes historic preservation; and provides education in history and culture through outreach to schools, publications, public lectures and historic sites and museum interpretations in many forms.