The Pioneer Museum of Hot Springs is the featured subject of the first commemorative medallion, conceived and offered by the new non-profit Cultural Development Organization, showcasing Hot Springs historic sandstone architecture. The Cultural Development Organization includes local business owners, area artists, and residents interested in the long term expansion of the fine arts, architectural arts and cultural heritage of the Hot Springs area. Initial projects of the Cultural Development Organization will include a just-launched murals project, with local artists creating murals attached to existing historic buildings, as well as the annual Commemorative Medallion.

The Commemorative Medallions are offered as limited numbered editions: Gold medallions are $100 each with 25 limited editions, silver medallions are available at $50 each with 75 limited editions, and 400 bronze editons are available for $25 each. These special medallions are available by writing: Cultural Development Organization, P. O. Box 411, Hot Springs, SD 57747 or may viewed and purchased at Black Hill Books and Treasures,112 South Chicago, Hot Springs, SD, and at the Pioneer Museum, 300 North River St, Hot Springs, SD. A portion of the proceeds stay with the Pioneer Museum for those medallions purchased on site. Museum hours are 9 to 5, Monday through Saturday.

The Board of Directors for the Fall River County Historical Society is busily preparing for the 2007 season. Much of the focus of the upcoming year will be planning ways to turn the museum’s unique local collection into a well- catalogued and protected archival research center.

The Fall River Historical Society will continue to offer high profile community events, such as the annual History Conference each winter and the Harvest Days celebration each September, to highlight the rich and colorful history of the county.

The Board of Directors for 2007 include: President James Bingham, a local attorney and holder of a masters degree in history; Peggy Sanders, a member of a six generation Fall River County family, writer of the “90 years Ago” column in the “Star,” and author of 4 local history photo books; Carolann Schwarzenbach, lifelong civic volunteer and resident of Hot Springs for 9 years, residing in the 1890 Phillip Wesch home, and currently representing Ward III on the city council; Adam Heath, past FRCHS president, past restorer of historic homes and current owner of the Shaman Gallery showcasing original local and regional art; John Pence, past Treasurer of FRCHS, worked as president of Ontrack Data International a software and services company before retiring to Hot Springs, serves as chairman of the Western Dakota Tech Foundation; Cathy Nelson, former editor of the Hot Springs Star; Paul Oberpriller; Lance Russel, Fall River County States Attorney; Dave Purtill, current FRCHS treasurer, local writer, former personnel director at the VA and current Fall River County Veterans Service Officer; and Lon Sharp, resident of Hot Springs and USPS letter carrier for 29 years with a long time interest in this area’s natural history and pioneer background.

A life sized bust carved by renowned Mt. Rushmore sculptor, Gutzon Borglum, has been donated to the Fall River County Pioneer Museum and is now on permanent display for public viewing. The sculpture, of an early, socially prominent Hot Springs resident, Pearl Carley Hargens, was commissioned of Borglum in the very early 1900s.

Pearl, originally of New York City and South Bend, Indiana first married Richard H. Hunt a NY architect. They had three sons at the time of their divorce in 1900. In 1902 she married Dr. Charles W. Hargens of Hot Springs, SD as his second wife. Dr. Hargens, a country doctor and a key figure in the Hot Springs community, was known to make regular business trips back east including to NY and Chicago. Pearl lived in Hot Springs until her death in 1935, garnering a reputation as a lady of fine dress who made her own clothes of fabric specially imported from France and who could frequently be seen in long flowing gowns, adorned with boas. She was also known as the lady hosting an ice cream social each summer for all of the children of the town.

The Borglum sculpture of Pearl marked her grave in the Hargens plot of Hot Springs Evergreen Cemetery until it was donated in May of 2007 to the museum by Charles Hargens’ daughter, Dorothy Hargens, who now resides in northwest Nebraska.

The museum, a prominent four story sandstone building on a hill in the center of Hot Springs served as an elementary school until the early 1960s. It is now maintained as a museum by the Fall River County Historical Society and houses a number of unique artifacts and pioneer era “treasures.” The Pioneer Museum is open from May 15 through mid-October, six days a week, 9 am to 5 pm.