September 7, 2021
CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL
Crazy Horse, SD 57730
“The Crazy Horse Memorial is a mountain monument under construction on privately held land in the Black Hills, in Custer County, South Dakota, United States. It will depict the Oglala Lakota warrior, Crazy Horse, riding a horse and pointing to his tribal land.” Wikipedia
Even though the memorial is still under construction I found what has been completed very impressive. In spite of the incomplete nature of the memorial the rest of the complex includes museums, theaters, and an art gallery telling the story of the memorial.
The museums include one dedicated to Indians of North America, a Mountain Carving Gallery, and the Sculptor’s Home and Studio. All house some very interesting exhibits.
While there I paid $4 extra to take a bus to the base of the memorial which gave an interesting perspective of the memorial. The bus driver also gave us much interesting information about the construction (i.e. there are only six people who are working on the memorial). I would have liked to take a trip to the top of the memorial but decided to skip it due to the $125 “donation” request.
The Crazy Horse Memorial
A close up view of the memorial.
A scale model with the actual memorial in the background.
An exhibit in the Indian Museum.
A piece in the art gallery.
The scale model of the memorial.
A display of early tools used in sculpting the memorial.
A wooden sculpture by Korczak Ziolkowski, the memorial's sculptor.
A wooden sculpture by Korczak Ziolkowski, the memorial's sculptor.
Ziolkowski's workshop.
The memorial from the base.
The memorial viewed from the base of the memorial.
A Native American entertained and educated visitors.
Ziolkowski originally carved The Fighting Stallions in mahogony wood. It has been reproduced as a full-scale sculpture here and also on the State Capitol grounds in Pierre.
A memorial to 9-11.