A special exhibit of Indian artifacts found in Belgium, special guests from Belgium and Pine Ridge, South Dakota, and a buffalo chip throwing contest will be among the highlights of the Buffalo Bill Museum’s celebration of Buffalo Bill’s 163rd birthday on Sunday March 1. Other activities will include free cake and ice cream at noon, children’s games and FREE admission to the Museum.
The artifacts from Belgium were known for years as the “Ghost Collection.” His friends knew that butcher Auguste Hermans had purchased an outstanding collection of Lakota beadwork and other artifacts at the 1935 Brussels Worlds Fair. But no one ever saw the collection, which he kept in the backrooms and basement of his Brussels home.
Now, after nearly 75 years, the “ghost collection” is out of the basement and will be coming to America for the first time since 1935. “Found in a Belgian Basement: Lakota Artifacts from the 1935 World’s Fair” will open at the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave on March 1, 2009 as part of the birthday celebration. Francois Chladiuk, the Belgian collector who discovered the artifacts, will be joined at the celebration by Walter Littlemoon from Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Littlemoon’s family appeared at the 1935 World’s Fair with many of the artifacts that will be on exhibit.
Birthday cake and ice cream will be served at noon and a variety of games will be held throughout the afternoon, including the Museum’s annual buffalo chip throwing contest. The Museum will also be free all day.
Further information about “Found in a Belgian Basement: Lakota Artifacts from the 1935 World’s Fair” and the birthday celebration, as well as hours of operation, admission fees and other information about the Museum may be obtained by calling 303-546-0744 or visiting
www.buffalobill.org.