Friends of the Little Bighorn Battlefield

08/29/2026

A beautiful evening at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument as we approach the Indian Memorial.

08/13/2026

Andrew Booher interviewed Bob Reece for the Distant Drums podcast which is broadcast over Spotify and YouTube. They cover the various burial excursions of the Custer/Little Bighorn dead starting June 28, 1876 through 1890. Additionally, they talk about Friends of the Little Bighorn Battlefield, and the photo posted in the comments.

Note: This series about the Battle of the Little Bighorn was covered by Andrew Booher as a special addition to the Distant Drums/Projects Past podcasts. Previous to Bob, Andrew talked with Michael Donahue, Steve Adelson, Douglas Scott, Paul Hedren, Paul, Hutton and many more.

What happened after the smoke cleared at the Battle of the Little B...

07/17/2026

Looking south from Finley-Finckle Ridge towards Weir Point and the Wolf Mountains beyond.

07/01/2026

Our special edition periodical for the 150th anniversary of the Battle of the Little Bighorn is now for sale. Check out the photo of the table of contents to understand what is included in this edition.

Only 250 were issued and most sold at the battlefield during the anniversary events. If you want to get your copy, you must order as soon as possible.

$20 + $5 shipping. Total $30 domestic
$20 + $15 shipping, Total $35 international.

Send an email to Kay Hunsaker at [email protected] for ordering information.

All proceeds benefit Friends of the Little Bighorn Battlefield and the battlefield itself.

06/27/2026

Tonight, we will hold our panel of historians discussion of historical anniversaries at Little Bighorn, and the evolution of the"Battle Talk".

Hardin Middle School Auditorium, 611 5th Street W, Hardin, MT.

8:00 PM. Doors open at 7:30, Free for everyone.

"FROM CUSTER TO TODAY: 150 YEARS OF ANNIVERSARIES, CHANGING PERSPECTIVES, AND EVOLVING INTERPRETATIONS”

Saturday JUNE 27, 2026, 8:00 - 10:00 PM
HARDIN MIDDLE SCHOOL AUDITORIUM
611 5th St W, Hardin, MT

For Immediate Release:

"Mount Rushmore" of Little Bighorn Historians to Convene for Landmark 150th Anniversary Panel.

[CROW AGENCY, MT] — The Friends of the Little Bighorn Battlefield (Friends) is proud to announce,

“FROM CUSTER TO TODAY: 150 YEARS OF ANNIVERSARIES, CHANGING PERSPECTIVES, AND EVOLVING INTERPRETATIONS”.

The men who helped the world see the Little Bighorn are gathering for one night only. Scheduled as a cornerstone event closing the Park Service 150th anniversary commemorations, the evening will bypass traditional lectures in favor of an intimate, open conversation about the battle’s enduring cultural and historical legacy.

The panel brings together an unprecedented lineup of expertise:

-- Neil Mangum: Former Superintendent of Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, and current Friends board member.

-- John Doerner: Former Chief Historian of Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument.

-- Billford Curley: Northern Cheyenne, current Friends board member, and leader of the annual June 25th Peace Through Unity sunrise ceremony at the Indian Memorial.

-- Steve Adelson: Retired NPS Ranger interpreter for 13 years, and author of Little Bighorn: Voices from a Distant Wind.

-- Michael Hasch: Current NPS Ranger interpreter providing powerful “Battle Talks” on Last Stand Hill.

"This is not an evening of reading papers," says Bob Reece, President of Friends. "This is an open discussion regarding important anniversaries at Little Bighorn Battlefield, and how telling its story has evolved since the Park Service began its stewardship of the battlefield in 1940."

Event Info:

When: Saturday, June 27, 2026, 8:00-10:00 PM. Doors open at 7:30 PM.

Where: Hardin Middle School Auditorium, 611 5th St W, Hardin, Montana

Tickets/Admission: Free to the Public. A gift for the Montana and Wyoming area from Friends of the Little Bighorn Battlefield.

About the Friends of the Little Bighorn Battlefield:
Friends of the Little Bighorn Battlefield is a non-profit organization and partner with the National Park Service dedicated to philanthropy, preservation, and interpretation of the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

06/26/2026

The 150th anniversary of the Battle of the Little Bighorn is nearing its end. It was a beautiful day, until the rain arrived around 1:00 PM, which lasted about an hour. Then, the sun returned and with it the light was spectacular.

I think there were about 8,000 in attendance, but that is not an official tally.The commemoration events continue tomorrow and Saturday.

06/25/2026

Today's the big day. Hope to see all of you there. Bob

06/24/2026

Thom Ross has arrived with 10 life sized figures for the 150th.

06/24/2026

What an entrance!

06/23/2026

Here's the latest press release from the NPS about the anniversary.

CROW AGENCY, Mont. — On June 25-27, 2026, the National Park Service, in partnership with tribal nations, elected officials, descendants, historians, and community partners, will honor the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of the Little Bighorn. This commemoration will offer opportunities for reflection, learning, and cultural exchange.

“The Battle of Little Bighorn holds deep significance for many people, and its legacy continues to be felt across communities and the west today” said Acting Superintendent James Novitsky. “As we honor this historic event, we ask visitors to approach all programming and interactions with care and respect for the many cultures represented here.”

Park gates open at 8:00 a.m. and close at 6:00 p.m. each day. Programming runs from approximately 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Entrance to the monument is free for all three days.

Visitors to the park during this time frame will need to plan ahead by following some key guidelines. Complete anniversary event information can be found by visiting https://www.nps.gov/libi/planyourvisit/150th-anniversary.htm

Getting Here
Event parking will be located off-site at the junction of I-90 and Hwy 212 at exit 510. Follow signs for parking.
Free shuttle transportation to and from the park will be provided throughout the event by the National Park Service.
Shuttles begin running at 7 a.m. and run every 5-11 minutes, depending on the route and time of day.
Park entrance fees have been waived for the event, and visitors will not be charged an NPS entrance fee.
Expect heavy congestion on local highways. Allow ample time to arrive at the event and parking area. Please be patient and courteous while driving.
What to Bring
Food and snacks. No food vendor will be on-site and dining options are limited in the surrounding area. Pack a picnic lunch and snacks if you plan to attend the full-day event. Help preserve the national monument by planning to pack out what you pack in.
A water bottle. Water refill stations will be available.
Weather appropriate clothing. All events are outdoors. June weather in southeast Montana can be hot, with the possibility of afternoon thunderstorms.
On-Site
Portable restrooms will be located throughout the event space.
Shuttle buses will provide access to Last Stand Hill, the Indian Memorial, and the Reno-Benteen Entrenchment site.
The main stage will host talks and presentations throughout the day, with educational booths and park staff available to answer additional questions throughout the site.
Celebrating Our Nation’s 250th Anniversary
The Battle of the Little Bighorn occurred during the nation's Centennial year in 1876. As the United States commemorates 250 years of independence in 2026, this anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect on a significant moment in American history and its enduring legacy.
The National Park Service is helping commemorate America's 250th anniversary through programs, events, and exhibits at national parks across the country. More information can be found at nps.gov.
-nps.gov-

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