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Remember when the stage curtain in rural schools and churches consisted of advertisements boldly painted on canvas? Come to the Pioneer Museum and step back in time as you view this pristine acquisition from the recently sold Oral Methodist Church.

Newest Exhibit at the Pioneer Museum in Hot Springs!

Cultural Development Organization's 1st Commemorative Medallion Offered

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.

Pioneer Museum To Have Archival Storage

The Fall River County Historical Society has began planning the construction of an archival storage facility within the Pioneer Museum of Hot Springs. Jim Bingham, President; Peggy Sanders; Adam Heath and Lon Sharp toured the facility with architect Lee Geiger of Geiger Architecture, Rapid City. Mr. Geiger specializes in working with historical buildings. The Board of Directors will then be given a detailed assessment of the proposed project.

The enclosed storage and research facility, climate controlled for the protection of historic photographs and documents will be housed in a remodeled basement area of the museum. A security system and fire/disaster safe are included in the concept. Plans are also underway to provide media storage for an oral history project, which will one day lead to special kiosks interpreting museum artifacts using the recollections of local residents. Look for upcoming announcements regarding the need for volunteers to help with the recording of additional oral histories, the transcribing of sessions and to help determine key local elders to be interviewed.

gutzon borglum hot springs south dakota

Hot Springs & Pioneer Museum Receive Borglum Sculpture

A life sized bust carved by renowned Mt. Rushmore sculptor, Gutzon Borglum, has been donated to the Pioneer Museum in Hot Springs 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' granddaughter, Dorothy HargensWaldron, who now resides in northwest Nebraska.

	Remember when the stage curtain in rural schools and churches consisted of advertisements boldly painted on canvas? Come to the Pioneer Museum and step back in time as you view this pristine acquisition from the recently sold Oral Methodist Church.		Newest Exhibit at the Pioneer Museum in Hot Springs!
			Cultural Development Organization's 1st Commemorative Medallion Offered 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.
			Pioneer Museum To Have Archival Storage The Fall River County Historical Society has began planning the construction of an archival storage facility within the Pioneer Museum of Hot Springs. Jim Bingham, President; Peggy Sanders; Adam Heath and Lon Sharp toured the facility with architect Lee Geiger of Geiger Architecture, Rapid City. Mr. Geiger specializes in working with historical buildings. The Board of Directors will then be given a detailed assessment of the proposed project. The enclosed storage and research facility, climate controlled for the protection of historic photographs and documents will be housed in a remodeled basement area of the museum. A security system and fire/disaster safe are included in the concept. Plans are also underway to provide media storage for an oral history project, which will one day lead to special kiosks interpreting museum artifacts using the recollections of local residents. Look for upcoming announcements regarding the need for volunteers to help with the recording of additional oral histories, the transcribing of sessions and to help determine key local elders to be interviewed.
			Hot Springs & Pioneer Museum Receive Borglum Sculpture A life sized bust carved by renowned Mt. Rushmore sculptor, Gutzon Borglum, has been donated to the Pioneer Museum in Hot Springs 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' granddaughter, Dorothy HargensWaldron, who now resides in northwest Nebraska.