Ash Hollow to re-enact 1800's in celebration of Nebraska 150 years

This exhibit will be a re-enactment of the events and surroundings where you will see trade tents, living quarters, teepees, and folks dressed in period-specific clothing of the 1800s. Tomahawk and knife throwing will be demonstrated, along with firing of black powder rifles. The Fur Trader camp will be set up east of the picnic area in Ash Hollow.

Clint Livingston is the project coordinator and reports that the Pawnee Free Trappers Black Powder Club from McCook will be participating along with individuals from Nebraska, Colorado, and Minnesota. A knife and tomahawk thrower from Houston, Texas will also be doing demonstrations.

The Cowboys Ride Again

On July 21st through 23rd, while camped at the mouth of Ash Hollow after the long trip from Texas, we will have calves to brand and horses to break. We are building corrals to ride the horses in and rope and brand calves in. The cowboys will teach people how to make ropes and how to throw a rope. They will show how to saddle and bridle a horse, and we will have a blacksmith to do demonstrations. We also want ranchers and farmers from all of the surrounding communities to come and burn their brands on a board.

Ray Stokes from Sidney, and his two daughters and grandson are bringing a chuck wagon to feed the cowboys and serve samples of campfire cooking.

On Saturday, July 22nd at 4:00 p.m., we will have a dress-up contest for kids ages 0-12. Three classes for both boys and girls (ages 0-4, 5-8, and 9-12 years old) dressed like cowboys and cowgirls, pioneers and settlers, fur traders, soldiers and Indians.

We will also have a saloon tent set up to serve Sarsaparilla and Root Beer. Last but not least, there will be singing around the campfire in the evening. Come along and join in on all the activities and sing along.

Native American Project

By Dana Hartman

For hundreds of years Ash Hollow Park was an oasis for indigenous people, Native Americans and the Sacred Buffalo. It was a haven to all that passed this way. Diaries of the Pioneer tell the story of how the pioneers and Native Americans camped in harmony alongside one another, exchanged ideas and traded goods. The 150th Nebraska Event is about sharing in harmony again.

On Wednesday, July 19th we will be raising the 26-foot Tepee at the Visitors Center in Ash Hollow Park. This is a ceremonial tepee which can hold up to 35 people. It will be used as a shaded area for the public to use prior to going in to see the Exhibit. This tepee was purchased through grants from the Turner Youth Board and the Nebraska Sesquicentennial Committee. During the event, AA Meetings will be held inside the tepee twice daily. After the event this Tepee will be going to the Red Cloud School. This is a gift from our community and our state to Red Cloud School.

The second Tepee coming to our event is from the Julesburg Museum. It was originally a gift from the movie “Dances with Wolves” to Sedgwick.

The third Tepee is coming from Standing Rock and will be used for the Tepee Raising on Friday evening. Additional tepees are being provided by Rick Whitehorse from Rosebud, Steve Yellowbird, and Diane Greenwald. Tepee raisings will begin on Tuesday. You are invited to stop by the park and lend a hand.

The Native American Project is not rehearsed or planned; it is a coming together of community, sharing their culture by participation. Our purpose is to teach children about their culture, artistry and spiritual way of life. Come listen to the wisdom of Basil Braveheart and feel the heartbeat of Kelly Looking Horses’ drums, listen to notes of John Two Hawks flute filtering through the air.Learn how to make a pair of moccasins. Watch and join in as we erect a Brush Arbor and raise a Tepee. Feel the magic of sitting on a Buffalo Rug while listening to poetry and stories told by Mary Lee from Timberlake, SD and Jerome Kills Small from Rosebud.

Donnie Little Thunder and family will be sharing stellar knowledge, the creation stories and how to raise children in the traditional Lakota way.

Amy Good Bear will speak about the atrocities to children and Ellen Conroy will talk about Native Plants and Lakota words.

Look for the Lilly Bird Cage Book Store in downtown Lewellen. (Lewellen Lodge on Wednesday and Thursday - Lewellen Community Center on Friday and Saturday.) Lilly is bringing her Native American bookstore from Rapid City. Her books bring the Native American Culture to life.

Harvest Quilts is coming from Parmeilee, SD with their Star Quilts, Sun Dance Pillows and Wall Hangings.

Drattling Leaf will be bringing her artistry beadwork. Tentatively scheduled are the artists Jim Yellowhawk and Mike Marshall.

Another event highlight feature is a live auction of local handmade quilts on Friday night at 8:30 p.m. in downtown Lewellen. Quilts are coming from Bridgeport, Garden County Historical Society, Julie Petersen’s Quilting Group from Ogallala, the Dailey Family from Bridgeport, a Quilt from Oregon and one very special surprise Star Quilt donated this week from Sandra Sandoval who came from Pine Ridge and now lives in Ogallala. Proceeds of the auctioned item will go to the designated charity/organization of the provider’s choice. Auctioned quilts will remain on display throughout the event. Additional items for auction will be Jean Jensen’s painting, a cowhide from Sally Corfield, a saddle, and artwork.