Lonesome Bill's Historical Interpretation

09/02/2026

There’s something about the last light of day that makes the Old West feel close again.

The right details, the right clothing, and a story told with care can make history feel less like something you read—and more like something you remember.

That’s the goal: to keep the stories alive, and to give them the respect they deserve. Image by Markus Erk.

08/27/2026

Part of my talk at Fort Phil Kearny for Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours earlier this summer. Contact me if you’re interested in a custom program or talk!

08/26/2026

I’m excited to share a project that has become a meaningful part of my work as a historian and historical interpreter.

I’m proud to be working with Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours as the historian for their Crazy Horse & Custer Tour, exploring the history, landscapes, and people connected to one of the most fascinating and consequential chapters of the American West.

It’s a privilege to share this history with guests from across the country and help bring these places and stories to life.

I’m excited to share the promotional video for the tour below. If you’ve ever wanted to experience this history firsthand, I hope you’ll take a look!

07/23/2026

Another fine painting!

In a couple days my painting titled “the Hard Crossing” goes up for auction at the Coeurd’Alene Art Auction in Reno Nevada. Having a painting in this auction is one of my proudest achievements . To get info on how to bid on line go to https://cdaartauction.com/.
A freight wagon thunders forward through a haze of dust and autumn light, the team straining in unison as riders flank it in tense pursuit. There’s a feeling of urgency and grit here—movement, danger, and determination all caught in that fleeting moment where the frontier refuses to slow down.

07/13/2026

In 1872, the U.S. Army adopted a completely new equipment system for its cavalry. Rather than relying on the familiar 1855 carbine crossbelt, this “brace system” used leather suspenders to support the saber belt and integrated the carbine sling into the harness. The goal was to better distribute the weight of the trooper’s equipment and create a more efficient fighting load.

When an Ordnance Board headed by Col. Peter V. Hagner tested the equipment in April 1872, however, the cavalry officers on the board—including Capt. Edwin V. Sumner and Capt. Alfred E. Bates—concluded that the brace system was more of a hindrance than a benefit. They argued that because a mounted soldier and all of his equipment were ultimately carried by the horse, there was little advantage in transferring the weight from the man’s shoulders to the brace system. They also preferred the proven 1855 carbine crossbelt over the new integral sling.

Despite these objections, Chief of Ordnance Alexander B. Dyer pushed forward with a series of field trials, and approximately 4,000 sets of equipment were produced for issue. The result was several years in which cavalry companies wore a mix of older Civil War equipment and new accoutrements.

The equipment shown here is a reproduction of the 1872 cavalry brace system—a fascinating bit of evolution in the U.S. Army cavalry equipment.

09/04/2025

1880s cowboy driving cattle through Wyoming Territory to Montana. In the 1880s, cow punchers spent their seasons driving herds north from Texas into the northern plains. Weeks in the saddle meant dust, storms, night guard, and pushing beeves to the railheads and northern ranges.

07/02/2025

Thrilled to share that I’ll be portraying a young Buffalo Bill in an upcoming episode of Expedition Unknown on Discovery! It’s an honor to bring this iconic figure of the American West to life for a project diving into the mystery of Buffalo Bill’s grave.
Check out the story here: https://cowboystatedaily.com/2025/06/29/discoverys-expedition-unknown-to-take-on-mystery-of-buffalo-bills-grave/

Through Lonesome Bill’s Historical Interpretation, I offer authentic living history programs, museum consulting, and historical modeling—whether it’s telling the stories of the frontier or stepping into the boots of figures like Buffalo Bill himself.

Have an event, film, or project that could use a bit of the Old West? Let’s talk!

The Discovery Channel’s popular show “Expedition Unknown” is digging into the mystery about what happened to the body of Buffalo Bill Cody. “The Lost…

06/22/2025

What a privilege it’s been to serve as a historian for Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours on the 2025 Crazy Horse and Custer Tour.

We covered hundreds of miles and thousands of years—discussing history from ancient migrations to the battles of the Plains Indian Wars and their lasting legacy. It was an honor to walk these storied landscapes alongside our guests, wrestling with the past in all its complexity.

This is not easy history. It’s not always heroic, and it’s not always just. But that’s what makes it essential to share. These are the stories that shaped the land and the people who live on it still.

If we walk away with anything, may it be this:
To walk the good road and be a just human being. Advocate for the earth, public lands, and historic sites. Lastly, carry these stories forward with respect and honesty. Acknowledge the past, learn from it, and better shape the future.

06/22/2025

On the skirmish line with Major Reno, Valley of the Greasy Grass, 1876.

The dust hangs thick as warriors quickly gather in number, swift and unrelenting. The thunder of hoofbeats rolls across the valley, mingled with war cries and the piercing scream of eagle bone whistles. Smoke stings the eyes, but the line holds—for now. No one speaks of death, but every man feels its nearness.

#1876

05/18/2025

Update from the Fetterman Fight Battlefield:

Thought I was coming out here to interpret history—turns out I’m reenacting a cardiovascular crisis. 😅

The terrain out here is deceptively steep. Between the altitude, the incline, and distance from the fort, I’m starting to understand why the soldiers didn’t make it…

Future programs in the works—after I catch my breath and rethink my life choices. 😵‍💫