The museum is located on the grounds of the Saint Labre School, a school for Native children began in 1884 and still going strong. The original school was a three room cabin. Today you can see a replica of that cabin that stands at the site of the original mission. The school is currently responsible for the education and welfare of close to 700 children from Native descent.

One of the structures sure to catch your attention is the Saint Labre Indian Chapel. The architecture of the building was inspired by the teepee, which the Plains Indians, such as the Cheyenne, used as homes. The building is beautiful and holds mass on Thursday at 4:30PM and on Sunday at 10AM.

The museum holds a wide variety of interesting pieces of art and artifacts. Visitors will be able to see clothing and textiles used by the Native people as well as a variety of weapon types, from tomahawks to arrowheads. You can even see some old rifles decorated in the Native style with beautiful beadwork.

Toys, miniatures, and dioramas (some life size) are also on display at the museum. You will also be able to see an entire section of various pieces of art. Many of the paintings on display are in various styles and from a wide array of artists.

When you finish your visit to the museum, you will come away with a great appreciation and a better understanding of one of the most interesting cultures in the world. The museum is a great place to visit, and don’t forget to help support them by picking up a souvenir from the gift shop.

Tours of the museum are available from 8AM to 4:30PM with extended hours from Memorial Day through Labor Day. You can find a lot of great information and interesting things to see at the museum and school. If you are in the area around Ashland, you should certainly make it a part of your trip. You will be glad that you did.

If you’re looking for hotel accommodations near Ashland, visit HotelsCombined.com for the best rates online.

St Labre Indian School

Tongue River Road

Ashland, MT 59003

406-784-4516
 

Cheyenne Indian Museum – Ashland, Montana is a post from: Montana Tourism

The area was first designated as a national cemetery in 1879 to protect graves of the Seventh Cavalry soldiers buried there.  In 1946, it was then renamed Custer Battlefield National Monument and finally in 1991, redesignated as Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. This last name change also included approval for a memorial to be built for the Native Americans who were killed in this battle. This is a memorial to one of the final armed efforts of Indians of the Northern Plains to maintain their way of life.

It is here that Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer – along with twelve United States Army companies of the Seventh Cavalry -planned a surprise attack on a Sioux village.  The three battalions were led individually by Capt. Frederick Benteen, Major Marcus Reno and Captain McDougall.

The Campaign of 1876 was an effort by the United States Government to force the Sioux tribes to live on their reservations.  The success of the American Indians in their defeat of the finest cavalry unit in the U.S. Army surprised and shocked the government as this was totally unexpected.  

The Native Americans who wiped out Custer’s army were bands of Lakota and Cheyenne warriors led by Chief Crazy Horse, Chief Lame White Man and Chief Gall.  Chief Sitting Bull, who was too old to fight, was a consultant to the Indian warriors.  

There are many opinions about how this battle was fought from the point of view of Army survivors, Native Americans and historians.  A number of books have been written in an attempt to analyze what really occurred in this historic encounter and visitors from around the world come to see this popular site.  There are also a number of films portraying a fictionalized version of this event.  It is unlikely that the truth will ever be known and conjecture continues. 

Location of site of battle ground and national monument:
By car: Interstate 90, Exit 510 at Jct 212.
Public transportation:  
Bus service available at Billings, MT, Sheridan, WY with travel to Crow Agency, Montana, 1.5 miles NW of the Little Bighorn Monument.
Hours of operation:
Closed:  Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Years Day
Open:
•    Memorial Day to July 31 – 8 am to 9 pm
•    August 1 to Labor Day – 8 am to 8 pm
•    September and October (ends on Daylight Savings Time) 8 am to 6 pm
•    November thru March – 8 am to 4:30 pm
•    April and May – 8 am to 6 pm

Admission fees:
•    $10 per private vehicle
•    $5 per pedestrian

For commercial and non-commercial group fee schedule, contact visitor information at 406-638-3204.

PO Box 39
Crow Agency, MT 59022
Phone: 406-638-2621
Fax: 406-638-2623

Directions:

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument lies within the Crow Indian Reservation in southeastern Montana. US 87 (I-90) passes 1-mile to the west; US 212 connects the monument with the Black Hills and Yellowstone National Park. The Crow Agency is 3 miles north, and Hardin, Montana, is 15 miles north. The nearest cities are Billings, Montana, 65 miles northwest and Sheridan, Wyoming, 70 miles south.
 

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument – Crow Agency, Montana is a post from: Montana Tourism

 One of the best places in the world to get up close to the fossils and other remnants of these creatures is by taking a trip to Montana and visiting one of the many museums dedicated to finding and preserving dinosaur specimens. For the adventurous, and those with a couple of weeks of vacation time to spare, you can hit all the museums on The Montana Dinosaur Trail.

 All of the museums along the trail (which happens to span the entire state) provide paleontology displays, as well as replicas and real skeletons of some of the prehistoric creatures found in the state. Some provide guided tours or talks led by actual paleontologists and other facility members. Some of the museums along the trail even have active dig sites that the public can visit.

 While it is unlikely that most people will be able to visit all fifteen museums along The Montana Dinosaur Trail, most will be able to hit several on their vacation. A couple of the more popular museums follow.

 The Makoshika Dinosaur Museum displays dinosaur fossils from all over the globe and from different periods, such as the Jurassic and Cretaceous. One of their most popular displays shows an Allosaurus and a Stegosaurus in combat. They even have a T-Rex skull that is actual size.

 At Two-Medicine Dinosaur Center, you can see the first baby dinosaur bones ever discovered, as well as the largest, scientifically accurate dinosaur in the world. You can also find a number of hands on activities here, as well as great educational programs. It is great for young people who are beginning to get interested in paleontology.

 Following the Dinosaur Trail is a great family getaway, and makes for a great road trip. Without a doubt, you and everyone in your clan will have a great time learning about the monsters from the ancient past! Check out all of the great dinosaur sites around the state.  Dinosaur locations are located throughout the state and you can find hotel accommodations for the entire state of Montana on HotelsCombined.com.

Montana Dinosaur Trail is a post from: Montana Tourism

Montana Vacation is a post from: Montana Tourism