Powerfull site and story. The addition of the granite stones for the first americans is telling, the circle not so much. Best to go when one of the NPS interpretive staff is giving tours, they are pros. Good gift shop, HQ needs to spend money on the exhibits.
I am impressed at the respect that was shown to show both sides of the massacre story. The grave stones laid out on the hill draw your attention to where Custer made his last stand. And the fairly new addition of the white and brown grave markers outstretch a five mile area to mark where those who were killed, fell; both for the Cheyenne, Lakota and Arapaho Warriors and the 7th US Cavalry.
This site does a great job of giving a true and realistic picture of what actually happened and more importantly, why it happened. It portrays an honest representation of the conflicts between the govenrment and local tribes at the time. It does not glorify Custer's actions, nor make him a hero or villain. It tells the story including the WOUNDED KNEE MASSACRE of Indians. Please take one of the monument's guided tours. Our tour guide was a Native Indian and we thorough enjoy his informative and historical guided tour of the site. On our way to Little Big Horn, we had stopped and visited the actual site of Wounded Knee before coming here. However, we actually learned more here at Little Big Horn, than at Wounded Knee.
This is definitely a sensual altering experience. I first visited this place 18 years ago and now just recently and it has only depend my feelings/emotions from that first time. If you are so inclined to visit this place then please do so with an open mind and heart. Let your senses be your guide and I am sure you will come away with a unique experience. Please keep in mind that the information you will see at the Interpretive centre is from the non native side.
If you have any interest in the battle of Little Bighorn you need to come here to really understand what happened that day. Reading is fine, and watching movies, but you need to see the terrain to grasp how events unfolded. And you need to take time and make use of the resources available, otherwise it will just look like a bunch of grassy hills.I'll start with the not-so-great aspects. Cars were parking way out when we got there late morning so we grabbed the first spot we saw. When we walked to the visitor's center there were a lot of empty places close in, probably people who'd already left. The visitor's center itself is small. There are a few exhibit cases but not nearly as much information as such an important site needs. There is also a nice film on a small TV but it's in a small room with lots of windows. They bring down the shades but it's still bright. When we were there it was standing room only and that was in the middle of the week not in high season.Now for the good things. We had an excellent ranger program that explained the events leading to the battle, the people involved, and the battle itself. In the gift shop we bought an audio tour CD for the car. That's what really made the experience. There are a few stops on the way to the far end but most of the stops are on the way back since that's the way the battle unfolded. Seeing the rolling landscape and having the audio tour really helped make sense of what happened here. Seeing the monuments to both Custer's men and the Native Americans (and the horses) who fought and died were thought-provoking.A very good experience to learn an important piece of American history.
I was completely underwhelmed by this National Monument. The visitor's center was not very engaging. The outdoor area was better, and I found it to be more interesting. We were there in January (our fault), and the weather was cold. Even so, I was dressed for the weather and we just walked around for about 1/2 hour outside. I was disappointed. I expected more in a monument memorializing such a major event.
Just what really did happen here. Read all the different interpretations you want...I suspect everyone comes away wondering just what really did happen. Not so much troop movements, (yes, lots of maps of who was where and where the backup came from and most importantly, where it DIDN'T) But I left thinking that perhaps Custer and his troops weren't really planing on killing one and all. They were there to move the settlement...still wrong, but...once threatened, the young braves feeling that they were there to kill all...women and children...things got ugly. Standing up top the hill....I could only imagine what was going through the Calvary's minds....Great displays inside, easy walk to the mound or there is parking if you're not able to walk it.
Stopped in to see this monument, the museum is very interesting there is a video to watch where I learned things i never knew about the Battle of Little Bighorn. It was very very interesting
Go see where some of the great history of the west took place. Native American tour guide was excellent! She gave the facts in a wonderful non biased narrative. Try and imagine yourself back in this vast area as a soldier or warrior with no phones and no outside help.