May 10th through May 31^st

   Each item has a story.  For example, the Japanese sniper rifle in the gun case was brought back by Marine Lieutenant Chet Gausman of Custer after he and his men had conquered Iwo Jima in 1945.  Only containing eight square miles, the island’s soft rock had been tunneled by the Japanese military, positioned so they would eventually kill a total of 5,800 Marines. Destined for a hand-to hand invasion of Japan, the men—including Gausman--- unexpectedly were able to go home in August of 1945 because of the two atomic bombs unleashed over Japan.

   In charge for only two years, Ackman has 70 volunteers assisting her in the summer, plus about 25 who work other positions.  She is very proud of the museum’s well-trained junior docents, who volunteer the entire year.

   The new scavenger hunt has proved to be very popular with the visiting families.

    She says, “Because of our many events---such as the July 4^th Old Time Country Fair and the Christmas Open House---we never have enough volunteers.”

   Winters are as busy as the summers with the cleaning, painting, filing, enhancing and changing of displays by the limited staff.

    The museum’s 6,000 visitors in 2009 possibly could include a ghost, which the Paranormal Society—with an overnight stay-- has sensed in   the building, but no one can confirm the ghost’s actual existence.                       Sandy Ackman

   Plan to hear Director Ackman and to see the artifacts--- real treasures at the Museum.

Director Sandy Ackman

Lois Well

“Behind the Scenes”

extremely successful this Year at the

1881 Courthouse Museum”

   Middle School students volunteered this year to be a part of the 1881 Courthouse Museum's “Behind the Scenes” program. This program gives students opportunities to learn about Custer’s History and gain skills through community service. The students learned to work with others. 

   They created displays, did research and provided guest relations. They also volunteered to help with the Museum’s Youth Activities.  They greeted visitors, helped with bookstore operations, had office assignments and assisted with special events. Through this experience, students enjoyed being behind the scenes at the museum to see how things work.

   The students who participated are: Tim Tennyson, 7th grade,  Tate and Trevor Kavanaugh, 6th grade,  Kendall Ashmore 7th, Zackery Anker 5th, Kenny Smit 7th, Sammy Zentner 4th and Benjamin Walker 7th, They have been helping with the children activities and they did all the work for the Halloween Carnival and helped with the Christmas youth activities.

   The jobs they were most proud of were designing exhibit cases, working with the children’s activities, learning about Custer's history and making their own badges.  One of the decisions they made as a group was to call themselves Junior Docents.  Docent is the term the students picked as their title as it is used for volunteers who assist with Museum operations.

   Sandy Ackman, Director of the Museum, said “the students have done an amazing job with all of the assignments they have completed this year. They helped me to reach many goals that I set for this year. I hope this will be a beginning of a life time of volunteering in the community.  We hope to continue with the same high quality of students we have had this year.”

   Students who would like to volunteer for the “Behind the Scenes” program can call the Museum at 673-2443 or e-mail info@1881courthousemuseum.com.  The Museum's Staff will be holding an orientation program on May 7^th at 9:00 am at the Museum. Once a student volunteers, they will be assigned tasks and will be scheduled to work during their available time.

   We welcome all students to join the “Behind the Scenes” program of the 1881 Courthouse Museum.  Through this experience students will enjoy learning while supporting the museum and its activities

   Tennyson added, “I love being here because we can actually touch all of this history.”  A special memory was when Director Ackman had allowed him to hold a gun possibly used by Gen. George Armstrong Custer.

    Mya Glenn (7) said, “I like the Navaho turquoise jewelry.  It makes me think of the sky and water.”

    An attentive seven-year-old, Jon Anker said, “I think this place is awesome because Grandma (Director Ackman) is here!”

    All appreciated this comprehensive study on Native Americans, sent from the State Historical Society of Pierre.

School Classes Schedule for Spring

1^st grade - Animals - April 21 – 8:15, 9:15, 10:15 (1 hour each)

2^nd grade - Scavenger Hunt – May 128:30, 9:30, 10:30 (1 hour each)

3^rd grade - Custer City Historical Buildings  - April 22, 12:30 & 1:30 (1 hour each)

4^th grade - Scavenger Hunt – May 18, 9:30 & 10:30 (1 hour each)

5^th grade - Cemetery Walk– May (24, 25 & 26 ?)

Kindergarten -  Old-fashioned games - May (24, 25 & 26 ?)

Summer Youth Activities

June 4, 9:00am - South Dakota Train Museum Museum – Fee for children $2 and Adults free.*

June 23,  10:00 am – Campolympics – Old Fashioned Games at Museum

June 30, - 9:00am Wild West “The Story of Mustangs in the West.*

July 14, 9:00am  Rocking Out “Mine Tour ”.*

July 22 or 23, 10:00am  - Remember When – Gold Discovery Paha Sapa – Pageant Hill

July 28, 9:00 am -  Back to Nature – Gold Panning at Custer State Park.*

Quarterly Artifact