"Where preservation of the past is building for the future"

Stan Rauch's interest in history has brought him to a new position as the manager of Prairie Village , the preservation site west of Madison that catalogs South Dakota 's past.

Rauch, an Oldham resident and Lake Preston native, took over the reins of Prairie Village in January from its previous manager, Donna Reinicke. After a career in the military and spending some of his retirement living in Montana , Rauch returned to South Dakota last fall.

Not long after settling into his new home, he noticed that Prairie Village officials were looking for a new manager. Rauch said his personal interests and the artifacts that the village preserves fit together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.

"I've always had an interest in historical buildings, and there's an extensive history of rural eastern South Dakota represented at the village," Rauch said. "It's fascinating to learn about the past of those buildings and what they contain."

The members of the Eastern South Dakota Thresherman’s Association purchased land near Madison in 1966 as a site for their annual jamboree. In August 1966 -- before they could hold their first jamboree at the new location -- the founders had moved the first preservation buildings onto the property. In 1967, the village received four old structures from the town of Junius -- the town bank, church, train depot and the Smith House, a home built by one of the county's first settlers.

Today, Prairie Village provides a home for dozens of historical buildings, locomotives and railcars, farm tractors and other equipment. The village depends on the efforts of many volunteers for the restoration and maintenance of the structures and artifacts. Volunteers also prepare the preservation site for the annual threshing jamboree.

After finishing high school, Rauch enrolled at South Dakota State University and graduated from the college. He joined the U.S. Air Force and spent 23 years in the service, retiring at the rank of lieutenant colonel. Rauch possesses a familiarity with volunteer work; he has donated his time to nonprofit organizations and groups for about 20 years.

He referred to Prairie Village 's operations as "dynamic" in describing how individuals have stepped forward and given their time.

"I enjoy working with volunteers," Rauch said. "I see them as the ones who make the good things happen."

According to Rauch, the Prairie Village workers are preparing for the 2008 season that has events scheduled to begin in May. The staff has to coordinate the schedule, record camping reservations and restock the gift shop.

"We're already gearing up for the 2008 season and working out the details for each of the events," he said.

Local schools schedule tours for their students in May, and the village staff hosted 2,000 youngsters last year.

"I think the village can provide the students with an appreciation of how differently their grandparents lived," Rauch said.

Prairie Village will hold a consignment auction on May 10, and opening day is scheduled on May 11. The staff will offer carousel rides each day and train rides are held at 3 p.m. on Sundays. Other events are scheduled on:

-- June 7-8, Railroad Days

-- June 13, Northern Bull Riding Tour

-- Aug. 10, the 15th annual Madison Car Show

-- Aug. 17, the Prairie Village Pageant

-- Aug. 21, Board of Directors Appreciation Supper

-- Aug 22-24, the 46th annual Steam Threshing Jamboree

The 2008 jamboree will feature farm tractors manufactured by J.I. Case National. Prairie Village will end this year's season on Sept. 1.

©Madison Daily Leader 2008