Mar

31

Posted by Karin 

The culminating event of Monroe’s Custer Celebration 2008 is a lavish soiree and ball honoring Russia’s Grand Duke Alexis. Join us for this memorable occasion and Dance with the Stars of days gone by.

Hobnob with royalty, distinguished generals and military officials, dignitaries and prominent citizens. So far the celebrated guest list includes the Grand Duke Alexis (guest of honor), General George Custer, and Buffalo Bill Cody. We’ll keep you posted as this esteemed guest list grows.

You won’t want to miss this grand affair! Only a limited amount of tickets will be available. As soon as we know ticket details, we’ll post them here. Meanwhile, save the date - Saturday, October 11, 2008.

Mar

28

Posted by Karin 

I have to give props to my co-blogger Ronda Stiffler for designing this excellent and informative site. The blogroll is fantastic! Ronda has made research easy. A wealth of information is just a click-of-a-link away.

I spent the past hour learning more about George Custer by reading a compilation of newspaper articles catalogued by the Monroe County Library System. These articles are easily accessed by clicking on the Custer in the News link found under our blogroll. What an excellent resource for teachers, scholars, students and history buffs.

Some interesting reads include a local account of Custer’s wedding, a series of articles on the Indian Expedition, a letter penned by Custer himself to the “editors of the world,” Sitting Bull’s purported account of the Battle of Little Big Horn, and an article documenting the return of the remains of Boston Custer (George’s brother) and Henry Armstrong Reed (Custer’s nephew) who died alongside Custer at the Battle of Little Bighorn.

I also found written evidence supporting the belief that Dandy, the General’s favorite horse, is indeed buried on Neville Custer’s farm located on North Custer Road.

A 1922 Detroit Free Press article “Monroe Recalls When Custer Rode to Battle with the Horse” states: ”The horse died when about 30 years old and was buried in an orchard on the Custer farm, along the winding River Raisin.”

Time to go. I want to read some more articles.

Mar

27

Posted by Karin 

Monroe County Historical Museum-Photographed by Darryl White

One of the highlights of the 2007 Custer Week Celebration was my visit to the Monroe County Historical Museum. As I explained in a previous post, interesting and rare historical artifacts pertaining to Custer were on display.

One such exhibit, the Battle of Trevilian Station, was a major coup for the museum to obtain, and you could say - a homecoming of sorts. Dave Ingall, MCHM assistant director explained the collection contained Custer’s personal effects captured on June 11, 1964 by Confederates at Trevilian Station, Virginia.

Belongings seized included the dress coat worn by Custer when he married Libbie as well as the 1860 silver Tiffany presentation sword given to him by the 5th Michigan Cavalry. Custer never saw his belongings again.

Shawna Mazur published an excellent, in-depth article entitled Custer’s First Stand: The Battle of Trevilian Station in the January/February 2008 issue of the River Raisin News & Dispatch, a bi-monthly newsletter published by the MCHM, Monroe County Historical Commission and Monroe County Historical Society.

According to the article, it’s believed James F. Blair, a Confederate Texas Cavalryman, is one of the captors of Custer’s wagon.

Blair purportedly took the items home to Texas as a souvenir where they remained for over 135 years - until discovered - stashed under a bed.

In 2000, Custer’s belongings were auctioned to the public and purchased by a group of Idaho antiques collectors.

“It took over a century, but the General’s items finally found their way home again,”writes Mazur.

Yet now on the second floor of the museum they are carefully laid out for all to view. It is truly fitting that they are home again and reunited with that red and white silk guidon, with its jagged corner, that resides permanently in the Custer display.

“What a rare opportunity for these pieces, that belong together, to be displayed right next to each other. Yet, it won’t last, so don’t wait, come visit the museum today and contemplate the past before these pieces once again vanish into history.”

Originally, the Battle at Trevilian Station collection was on loan to the MCHM through January 2008. The exhibit has been extended indefinitely. So hurry! There’s no telling if or when this exhibit may return. Or, as Mazur poetically puts it: “before these pieces once again vanish into history. “

Wouldn’t it be great if a major benefactor stepped forth to insure this wonderful collection could stay in Monroe permanently?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mar

27

Posted by Ronda 

When I was about seven or eight, I used to sneak away whenever possible for a few moments of adventure with one of my older brother’s paperback Western books.

One of my favorites had short stories on different Western personalities like Buffalo Bill Cody. Inside was an illustration of a man who looked to me to be 7 feet tall, with a buckskin jacket and long golden locks. Years later, I was able to visit his grave in Golden, Colorado with my family.

Buffalo Bill may not have really been 7 feet tall, but he has enthralled children for over one hundred and thirty years. His strength, bravery and love of showmanship are legendary throughout the world.

Most Monroe residents know that Buffalo Bill and Monroe’s own General Custer were friends. They, along with General Phil Sheridan, accompanied the Grand Duke Alexis of Russia on a buffalo hunt out west in 1872 during the duke’s visit to this country.

This period of time in history is the theme of Monroe’s Custer Celebration 2008. Monroe will be visited by Buffalo Bill re enactor Kirk Shapland who will share stories of his times with General Custer. More details will be posted as we near the dates. In the meantime, enjoy this link to the Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave.

Mar

25

Send us your links!

March 25, 2008 | 1 Comment

If you have any links related to Custer and/or Monroe that you’d like to share, please send them to us at monroescustercelebrationblog@live.com.

Mar

24

Monroe’s Custer Celebration is a community effort with many interested parties and groups participating. We are inviting readers to share information on any events not mentioned here.

Share your Custer Celebration 2008 news and updates by leaving a comment or emailing us at monroescustercelebrationblog@live.com. 

Mar

23

Posted by Karin

For years I’ve passed by the statue of George Armstrong Custer on the way to visit my sister, Liz, and her family who live on North Custer Road. When stopped by the red light at Elm and Monroe Streets, I’d sit there and admire the statue. Curiously, I always wondered, What is Custer’s real connection to Monroe anyway? 

Since I never heard anyone speak of it, I assumed the connection was tenuous at best. Perhaps he lived there for two years as a toddler, or passed through on military assignment, etc.

I’m embarrassed to admit that I, a former history teacher, wasn’t inquisitive enough to pursue this question once I pulled away from the traffic light.

Then, last October (through sheer luck as I don’t live in Monroe) I stumbled upon a Monroe Evening News article promoting the 9th annual Custer Week Celebration underway that week. 

The timing was perfect. It was Thursday, and I had the day off from work. Also, if you recall, the weather last October was fabulous. Sunny and 80 degrees!

Hmm. Should I spend one of the last beautiful days of the year running mundane errands or exploring Monroe’s history?

I opted for the latter, hopped in my car and set out to answer the question that has plagued me for years.

My trip to Monroe during Custer Week was amazing. I discovered impressive and rare Civil War era artifacts belonging to President Abraham Lincoln, General Robert E. Lee and Custer on display at the Monroe County Historical Museum. These artifacts were on loan from prominent public and private collections across the country.

Personal artifacts from his life in Monroe were interesting as well. Exhibits included an invitation to his bachelor party and the headstone of one of his beloved horses.

History came alive when I took a walking tour of Monroe. Armed with a copy of Traces of Custer obtained from the museum, I visited numerous sites pertaining to Custer such as Martin’s Shoes (still in operation) where the General purchased boots and shoes, the First Presbyterian Church where George and Libbie exchanged wedding vows, and the Custer plot at Woodland Cemetery where Custer’s parents, brother and nephew are buried.

Amazingly, while the businesses have changed, many buildings and streets from Custer’s time still exist. Although I wasn’t able to participate in the extensive weekend activities, I left Monroe excited. Despite the fact I’m no longer a history teacher, somehow I wanted to make teachers aware of this great opportunity to use local history to inspire kids and get them enthusiastic about our country’s history. 

The opportunity to inform teachers presented itself when I was asked to join the 2008 Custer Celebration Programs Committee as educational coordinator. So teachers, save the dates – Friday, October 3 – Saturday, October 11. You won’t want your students to miss this exciting living history event!This year, the Monroe’s Custer Week Celebration is even bigger and better.

Guest speakers include Ernie LaPointe, Sitting Bull’s great-grandson, and Dakota Goodhouse, chief of interpretation at Fort Abraham Lincoln. While many events are scheduled on weekends and weekday evenings, special weekday programs are being planned specifically for school groups.

Details to be posted here soon.   

Mar

18

Welcome to Monroe’s Custer Celebration Blog. Looking for information about Monroe’s 2008 Custer Celebration? Interested in Monroe’s history and how General George Armstrong Custer fits in? You’ve come to the right place!

The Monroe County Historical Society’s Custer Celebration Programs Committee and others in the community are already hard at work planning Monroe’s Custer Celebration 2008. There are a lot of exciting developments in the works for this year’s programs. Have a peek at the schedule here.

This blog will be updated often with links and information including event details as they develop.

Check back often for Custer Celebration 2008 updates and articles relating to General George Armstrong Custer, Monroe’s most famous resident.

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