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
