History along the Bozeman Trail, early cattle drives and Western settlement were influenced by the technological advances and design innovations of firearms and Native weaponry. Military and commercial firearms and their relationship to historic events from the mid 1800s to the early 1900s will be the focus of the day long program. Admission will be free, thanks to Sheridan County Sportsmen’s Association. Come for the morning, come for the afternoon, come for the whole thing!

Schedule: 

10:00 am – 12 noon: Presentation at Fort Phil Kearny with Bob Wilson and Kearny’s Frontier Regulars with Donovin Sprague, Sheridan College History Faculty and enrolled member of the Minnicoujou Lakota.  Topics include Native weaponry, bows and arrows (stone & metal) and firearms, Flintlock, Musket and 1876 Military Firearms and the historical relationship to Fort Phil Kearny.  

12 Noon – 1:00pm – Lunch at Kearney Community Hall. Happy Camper food truck on site. Attendees welcome to bring their own brown bag. View Exhibits on display in Kearney Community Hall.  

1:00pm – 2:30pm Presentations at Kearney Community Hall.

Presenters: 

1. Danny Michael, Cody Firearms Museum Curator will share about the history of firearms used on the Northern Plains, from the well-known to the ‘how did that get there?’
2. Donovin Spraque, Sheridan College History Faculty and enrolled member of the Minnicoujou Lakota, Firearms and Changes in Native Culture 
3. Carrie Edinger, SCLT Historic Program Manager and Mike Kuzara, SC Sportsmen’s Association will co-present regional history and firearms related to early cattle drives, the Texas Trail, and early ranching.
   

2:30pm – 3:00pm Community members share local history related to historical firearms. Short  presentations & digital photos to be projected 

Firearms that Influenced the Powder River Country, is being held in partnership with Fort Phil Kearny Historic Site, Fort Phil Kearny/ Bozeman Trail Association, Sheridan Community Land Trust and Sheridan County Sportmen’s Association. The presentations will be video recorded for viewing by people unable to attend live. Photo courtesy of Rip Rawlings.

RSVP welcomed, but not required.

Event Sponsored by: