2008: 132nd Anniversary of ‘Last Stand Battle’
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
 Little Bighorn Battlefield is 15 miles east of Hardin. Picture, if you can, June 25, 1876, the day when over 210 troopers of the 7th Cavalry fell in battle. The thunder of hooves, war cries of the Teton Sioux and Northern Cheyenne Indians, rifle fire and death chants softly echo across the plain. This was...
...Custer’s Last Stand
 June 25, 2008 marks the 132nd anniversary of the Battle of the Little Bighorn.
 The Visitor Center displays exhibits on the battle, Indian culture, and frontier soldiers. New interpretive exhibits include “People of the Plains,” a story of the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho people at the time of the battle in 1876. Full-size photographic cut-outs and artifacts from the battlefield collection interpret the many roles that tribal members played, including the warrior’s dual role as hunter and warrior.
 “Tools of the Battle” describes the vast assortment of weapons used in the battle by the Seventh Cavalry and the Native American warriors.
 “Unraveling the Mystery” is an exhibit of the important archaeological surveys conducted on the battlefield and how the recovered artifacts provide an understanding of what may have happened during the battle. Firearms analysis and forensic pathology have revealed not only individual weapon types and details of movements during the battle, but also important clues about the various equipment used by both sides.
 The Visitor Center is open 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Memorial Day to Labor Day with ranger talks, movies, and tours; 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. fall and spring with intermittent ranger talks and movies; and 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from October 1 to March 31. The cemetery was closed to further expansion in 1978.
 Hiking is permitted on a 3/4 mile interpretation trail, self-guided with brochures. There is also a self-guiding booklet for the cemetery.
 The battlefield is located 61 miles south of Billings, Montana, and 65 miles north of Sheridan, Wyoming, at the junction of Interstate 90, and Montana Highway 212.
 Little Bighorn offers a wide range of interpretive opportunities.
 Self-guided walking tours are available for the battle related sites and the national cemetery.
 A self-guiding, 5 mile tour road enables visitors to follow and observe the sites related to the battle.
 Three walking trails have been established: Reno-Benteen Defense site, 5 miles south of the Custer field; Keogh/Crazy Horse position on battle ridge; and along Deep Ravine, west of battle ridge.
 Custer National Cemetery, containing burials that are historic to northern plains events as well as burial of veterans and dependents from 1879-present.
White Swan Memorial Library: Contains the finest collection of research materials available on the battle of the Little Bighorn, as well as other related historical events.
Phone Number
 For additional information, write to Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, P.O. Box 39, Crow Agency, MT. 59022. For any questions, call the Battlefield Information line: (406) 638-2621. www.nps.gov/libi/index.htm

Last Stand and Real Bird Reenactments
 Reenactments are not organized by or held at the battlefield.
 Hardin Area Chamber of Commerce will present Custer’s Last Stand Reenactment June 27-29, 2008, the weekend closest to the anniversary of the original 1876 conflict. The reenactment is held 6 miles west of Hardin, Montana.
 The performances are at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. On Saturday a second performance is held at 5 p.m. See the Hardin section in this edition for complete details.
 The Real Bird Reenactment of the Battle of the Little Bighorn reenacts the battle as told by the Crow Real Bird family. It will be held on the historical west side of the Little Bighorn River, across from Medicine Tail Coulee near Garryowen June 27-29. Living history demonstrations, a tepee village, period stores and period dress will bring living histories of past generations to you. Tickets are sold at the gate, with no reserved seating. Direct inquiries to (406) 638-2808.
 Also on Friday, June 27, at 7 p.m., Friends of the Little Bighorn Battlefield will host historian Jerome Greene’s discussion of his new book at the administration building at the battlefield. Stricken Field: The Little Bighorn Since 1876 is available in a limited edition of 125 leather-bound copies, which are signed and numbered.
 Tickets are $25 for members and $30 for nonmembers and $35 at the door. Proceeds go to the Friends LBH for projects that assist the battlefield. Write to Friends LBH, P.O. Box 76, Garryowen, MT 59031, or go to www.friendslittlebighorn.com
Sitting Bull,
leader of the Sioux
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument Archives Photo
Custer/SItting Bull Photos copy
Visit Little Bighorn Battlefield  and Custer’s Last Stand
Little Big Horn Monument
Spirit-Warriors-copy1.jpg