2010: 134th Anniversary of
‘Last Stand Battle’
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument Open Year Round
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, 2010 marks the 134th 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 in May from 8 a.m.-6 p.m., June-July 8 a.m.-9 p.m.,
August 8 a.m.-8 p.m., fall 8 a.m.-6 p.m., winter 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Daily ranger
talks and movies are provided. 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
Custer Battlefield Museum
Displays Rare Lewis And Clark Exhibit
In celebration of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Custer Battlefield Museum is
showcasing an exceptional collection of Lewis and Clark rare books, oil
paintings, documents, and historical ephemera. This one-of-a-kind display has
been touted by historians as a must see. The collection includes extremely rare
documents and books detailing the five-year expedition of Lewis and Clark and
the Corps of Discovery.
“The Lewis and Clark Expedition was the first government survey of natural
resources in the American West, and its importance cannot be overstated,” said Custer Battlefield Museum Director Chris Kortlander.
Highlights of the exhibit include the hand-notated and signed set of journal
notes of the first officially authorized publication of the travels of
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, owned by Nicholas Biddle, editor of Lewis
and Clark’s journals. His personal set contains original handwritten notes and several
period newspaper articles, as well as the very first images of Lewis and Clark
ever produced.
These images were created by Department of the Treasury master steel plate
engraver Toppan, who gave the proof images to Biddle himself. These images were
tipped in by Biddle to his first edition set of journals which are now on
display.
Another highlight of the exhibit is an original document signed by William Clark
appointing Justice of the Peace for the County of Copper in the State of
Missouri. The exhibit also includes Sergeant Patrick Gass’ journal filled with hand-drawn scenes and first-hand accounts of the Corps’ daily struggles. Along with an engraved peace pipe that is believed to have
been acquired through the Corps’ interaction with native Indians, as well as an 1809 counterfeit journal and
original first editions of the 1814 Corps journals. “We are so excited to have assembled this exceptional collection of Lewis and
Clark journals and ephemera,” Kortlander stated. “This is one of the finest Lewis and Clark exhibits in the American West and we
are honored to bring it to an interested public.”
The museum is open Memorial Day - Labor Day, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Spring and
fall, it is open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Contact the museum at 406-638-1876, P.
O. Box 200, Garryowen, MT, 5903.
Admission for adults is $5, for seniors and children $4, under 12 free. Guided
tours are available by special arrangement. (406) 638-1876.
