Museum Minute: Military Exercises in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West

Some of the dramatic scenes featured in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show were also printed on advertising posters.

Jeremy Johnston, curator of the Buffalo Bill Museum, said some of the images in the posters that are part of a new exhibit opening this month are ones you might not expect.

“Many people assume that the series focused solely on recreating episodes from the settlement of the American frontier, but Buffalo Bill’s Wild West also included many contemporary events,” he said.

Johnston said one example is a poster titled “The Military Pageant (Preparedness)” that references Buffalo Bill working with the U.S. War Department and the 101 Ranch Show to showcase military exercises at shows.

“The purpose of these preparation shows was to prepare America for World War I. And Buffalo Bill basically took over that preparation campaign and staged these military reenactments hoping that Americans would understand the value of preparing for World War I. less in the event of war,” he said.

In terms of other events, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show also featured re-enactments of the Battle of San Juan Hill and scenes from the Boxer Rebellion.