Constructed in 1871 as the post commanding officers' quarters, this building served that role until 1889, when a new commanding officers' quarters was built near the north side of the post. Its most important event was the formal surrender of the Hunkpapa leader Sitting Bull, which helped end warfare on the Northern Plains. On July 20, 1881, Sitting Bull met here with Fort Buford's commanding officer, Major David H. Brotherton, with his young son Crow Foot at his side. Sitting Bull gave his Winchester rifle to Crow Foot and told him to give it to Major Brotherton, saying, "I surrender this rifle to you through my young son, who I now desire to teach in this manner, now that he has become a friend of the American people. I wish to teach him the habits of the whites and to have him educated as their sons are educated. I wish it to be remembered that I was the last man in my tribe to surrender my rifle..."