Day 48 - Saturday -A cool museum

Day 48 - Saturday -a cool museum

Rain is forecast for the next several days but this morning it's not raining as we head into Custer and to the Farmers Market.  We chat to the majority of vendors (3 out of 5) and buy some kale (which Vicky will make into soup) and duck eggs (which I haven't had since I was a child and Vicky has never had).

We then cross the road to the old (1886) courthouse which is now a historical museum.  We weren't expecting much, but boy were we pleasantly surprised.  The ground floor started with comprehensive displays on the native tribes, and animals and birds found in the area.  It was the next room, however, that took our breath away.  It was about the 1874 Custer expedition that found gold in the Black Hills.  These were the first white men ever to set foot in the Black Hills.  Over 300 covered wagons were accompanied by botanists, gold miners and a photographer, William Illingworth, who took some amazing shots.  The exhibit features some of the photos as well as first hand accounts from several of the soldiers, but also artifacts including the epaulettes from Custer's uniform and his rifle.  We spent a lot of time examining everything.

From what we know about George Custer he wasn't the nicest of people, and his expedition was clearly in violation of a treaty guaranteeing the Black Hills to the Lakota, but that doesn't alter the fact that the story of the expedition is fascinating.  We ended up also buying a book including not only many of Illingworth's photos, but also first hand accounts from many of the members of the expedition.  But back to the museum.

 I won't bore you with all the details, but the second floor has the original courtroom and judge's chambers, all with the original furniture, as well as a 19th Century schoolroom and general store.  Just as interesting was a display of military uniforms dating back over 100 years, most of them donated by local residents who actually wore them.

Down to the basement with the original jail cell, info on all the local sheriffs and various lawbreakers, and interesting (to me) bios of Butch Cassidy and his gang.  Finally outside there was a carriage house with several coaches from farm wagons to stage coaches and  elegant carriages, most, unfortunately, not in very good shape.  Vicky, with her carriage driving experience, really enjoyed this part.  After viewing the site of the only legal hanging in Custer County (engraved invitations were inside the museum) we went down to the bank, which now serves great coffee and the best bagels either of us can remember eating.  Then home to watch the rain.