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.

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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
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