The “Original Lobby”

During the winter of 2002-2003, workers rebuilt the oldest part of the Crazy Horse Memorial visitor complex, known affectionately by the Ziolkowski family as the “Original Lobby.” Finishing work continued on the lobby interior during most of 2003.

The lobby began its life as Korczak’s and Ruth’s front porch, expanded many times as the number of visitors to the Memorial grew. It served as the primary entry into the visitor complex for millions of visitors, until the Welcome Center opened in 2000.

 The rebuilt lobby is finished in pine for the natural environment Korczak loved. An outside wall of the log cabin that Korczak built in 1947-48 is visible (above right) for the first time in many years along the west side of the lobby. The doorways on either side of the fireplace (above left) are the entry to the Ziolkowski family’s studio home, which is open to the public, and leads to the Sculptor’s Studio and the Native American Educational and Cultural Center. 

 Two very special features have been retained in the lobby including Korczak’s mural of Crazy Horse, above left. Above right is a section of the original lobby floor, built by Korczak just outside the wall of the log cabin. Although fire safety rules dictated a new concrete floor, this section of the original floor remains, with initials of family members inscribed nearby.

 Many of the popular features of the lobby remain, including the rock box (right) allowing visitors to take home a rock from the mountain. Another popular area is the lighted exhibit showing the carving progression on the face of Crazy Horse in the 1990s.

Visitors also see large models of the head of Crazy Horse and the horse’s head.

New exhibits are also planned for the Original Lobby.

The rebuilt lobby retains the large windows, allowing an unobstructed view of Korczak’s 1:34 scale model with the mountain in the background.