The History of Monroe, Michigan's Custer Week

As Monroe prepares for its 9th Annual Custer Week with a week full of fun and educational activities for residents and visitors, it seems fitting to take a brief look back at the history of the event.

John Patterson, President/CEO of the Monroe County Convention & Tourism Bureau, came up with the idea of setting aside one week each year to honor Monroe's most famous celebrity in 1999.

Looking back on that first year, Mr. Patterson wrote about his motivations in an article in the Monroe Journal, Volume 4 Issue 9.

"The mission of the week was very simply to bring awareness about the life of one of our community's most recognizable figures," he wrote.

Monroe's General Custer Living Historian Steve Alexander recently elaborated on this motivating force:

"John Patterson saw an empty void in the schools' curriculum concerning local history, especially Monroe's connection to George Armstrong Custer. A lot of students knew the name and were familiar with the statue downtown and I think his purpose was to draw awareness to the story behind the name and statue."

The historian also shared his experiences with similar events across the country, explaining that General Custer's impact on history was of such magnitude that Monroe needs a full week in order to properly honor him.

"A lot of the events that I attend around the country are typically a single day or a weekend. This story is so big, even after a hundred and thirty one years, that an entire week was created to fill the historical needs of the public and the students of Monroe."

Mr. Alexander said that Custer Week, like anything else, has taken time to catch on in Monroe.

"When "Custer Week" was into its seventh year, many of the downtown businesses hadn't caught on to the concept of a full week or they had not been aware of the previous events that had taken place in the city."

He credits his wife, Sandy, who heads the Custer Celebration Committee, with helping bring awareness about Custer Week to Monroe business owners.

"My wife Sandy, on her own, approached the down town merchants to ask if she could put up posters she had made five days before the World Premier of a film I had made in Montana was to be shown. Overwhelmingly the merchants all wanted to support a "Custer Week" event and asked how they might get involved."

Hosting a Custer Week celebration makes good business sense for Monroe. As Mr. Alexander points out, Monroe has much to offer residents and visitors alike.

He said, "Michigan is blessed for its game and recreation. Fresh water and a growing automobile industry supported the infrastructure for the state. As the economy was turned on its head the state looked to another venue that has always been around but never taken advantage of to its fullest: history!"

Touching briefly on Monroe's unique heritage, Mr. Alexander explains that Monroe County has some of the richest history in the state.

"More historical markers are posted in Monroe than any other county. And, as the sign on the approach to the city states, Monroe is the Home of General Custer."

The exciting events planned for Custer Week 2007 are expected to draw visitors back to Monroe for future festivals and events.

"Monroe County has a whole lot to offer. After they've come for Custer Week, they're going to want to come back for the Fair, the Jazz Festival, the Ice Harvest Festival, and all the holidays that are highlighted in this warm and friendly community," said Mr. Alexander.

History continues to be made as Americans from all over join Monroe in honoring General George A. Custer and celebrating Michigan's role in the Civil War during Custer Week 2007.