Category Archives: Fort Scott National Historic Site

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Inaugural BARK Ranger Event at Fort Scott National Historic Site

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Janette and her B.A.R.K. Ranger Freckles. Credit Photo as: NPS Photo/C. Brenner

Inaugural BARK Ranger Event 

 

Saturday, November 4, 2023, Fort Scott National Historic Site, in partnership with Paws and Claws, will host an inaugural B.A.R.K. Ranger event from 9 a.m. until noon. Hourly activities include guided pet walks around the park grounds, free toenail trims for dogs, pet adoptions, K9 demonstrations, and various pet vendors on Skubitz Plaza including the new Fort Scott High School Tiger Barkery.

 

Continually from 10 a.m. until noon, low-cost vaccinations ($15 multi-vax shot), free heartworm testing, and low-cost microchipping ($20) will be provided by local veterinarians.

 

National parks are exciting places for pets to visit with their family while on vacation. Sometimes these new places can be so exciting as to be overstimulating. Join these events to learn how to have a positive experience with your pet in unfamiliar environments. Learn the B.A.R.K. principles so you and your pet can have a safe and fun visit anytime you go to a national park. This program is part of the Healthy People Healthy Parks Initiative. More information can be found at www.nps.gov/subjects/pets. B.A.R.K. stands for:

 

  • Bag your pet’s waste
  • Always leash your pet
  • Respect wildlife
  • Know where you can go

 

Fort Scott National Historic Site exhibit areas and visitor center are open daily from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The park grounds are open daily from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.

 

 

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Fort Scott National Historic Site

The Fort is Hosting the Chamber of Commerce Coffee on Oct. 26

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ANNOUNCING THIS WEEK’S
CHAMBER COFFEE
Join us for Chamber Coffee hosted by

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Thursday, October 26th

8am

1 Old Fort Blvd

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee this Thursday, October 26th at 8 a.m. hosted by Fort Scott National Historic Site, located at 1 Old Fort Blvd. The Chamber Coffee will be in the park’s Theater on the second floor of the Infantry Barracks just west, to the left, of the Visitor Center. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be provided by The Friends of Fort Scott.

 

Fort Scott National Historic Site will be promoting the 42nd annual Candlelight Tour. The tour centers around peace on the frontier with five stops around the site. The entire tour is outside this year, so they encourage visitors to dress for the weather. Tickets go on sale November 1st, Friday tours 6:30-9pm and Saturday tours 5-9pm. Tours start every 15 minutes and last approximately 1 hour. Tickets are $8.00 per person and children 5 and under are free. Contact Fort Scott National Historic Site at 620.223.0310 for more information.

 

Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information.

 

Click here for their Facebook Page!

We hope to see you there!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members
shown below!
FORT SCOTT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
620-223-3566
Facebook  Twitter
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Fort Scott National Historic Site

Winter Hours of Operation for Fort Scott National Historic Site 

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Fort Scott, Kan. – The leaves are changing for fall and winter, so are the hours of operation at Fort Scott National Historic Site. Beginning Wednesday, November 1, the park’s historic structures will be open daily from 8:30 am–4:30 pm through March 31, 2024. The buildings are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. The park grounds, walkways, and parking lot continue to be open from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset daily.

 

Fort Scott National Historic Site is a fee free park that offers a glimpse into the growth of our nation through a short film, interactive audio-visual programs, displays, museum spaces, and historic objects. A walk through the fort reveals the significant role it played in the opening of the West, the Civil War, and the strife in the State of Kansas that preceded it.

 

Park Rangers are on hand and happy to help you learn more about the area and plan your visit. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort before your visit, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.

 

-NPS-

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Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott National Historic Site, History

42nd Annual Candlelight Tour Tickets On Sale November 1

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Be an Active Part of History this Holiday Season

 

Wednesday, November 1, 2023, tickets for Fort Scott National Historic Site’s 42nd Annual Candlelight Tour go on sale. Tickets are available by calling the fort at 620-223-0310 (with a major credit card) or by stopping by the Visitor Center on Old Fort Blvd. Tickets are $8.00 per person and non-refundable, children 5 and under are free. It is recommended that you get your tickets early to ensure your choice of tour times, as this event frequently sells out.

 

The 42nd Annual Candlelight Tour is Friday and Saturday, December 1 and 2, 2023. Tours on December 1 will begin at 6:30 pm and leave every 15 minutes until 9 pm. On Saturday, December 2, the tours will start at 5 pm with the final tour leaving at 9 pm. Please arrive 10 minutes early to allow time to park, present/pick up your ticket, and get oriented. Participants are advised to please dress for the weather and conditions, as the entire tour will be outside and on sidewalks.

 

1,000 candle lanterns illuminate the site and reenactors (including you) bring the fort to life.

This year’s tour is about Health and Wellness. During the tour, you will be immersed in ways people have historically been provided the opportunity to be healthy and embrace happiness, despite their struggles.

 

From November 1-March 31, Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, will be open for its winter hours of operation.  The site exhibit areas and visitor center are open daily from 8:30 am-4:30 pm. The park grounds are open daily from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset. For more information about Fort Scott National Historic Site programs or become involved in the candlelight tour, or other activities, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.

 

-NPS-

 

Credit Photos as: NPS Photo/C. Brenner

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Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott National Historic Site, History

Murder and Mayhem at the Fort on Halloween Night

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Looking for some added Halloween fun?

Tuesday, October 31, 2023, join Fort Scott National Historic Site guides for a special candle lantern walk called the Murder and Mayhem at the Fort Lantern Tour, according to a press release.

There is no cost to the public.

Tour guides from the 1840s-1860s, will share some of the lesser-told tragedies and macabre events that were far too common in Fort Scott’s 19th century.

“There was violence and tragedy that happened at the fort during the 1840s to the 1860s,” Carl Brenner, FSNHS Chief of Interpretation and Resource Management, said. “The fort was the whole town during this time, and there were 1,000s of soldiers here during the Civil War.”

They will talk, in period costume, about some of those events.

Tour guides are Carl Brenner, Barry Geertsen, and Jessica Nielsen-employees at the Fort, and Matthew Wells, a member of the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site.

These four special Halloween lantern tours will start every 30 minutes beginning at 6:30 pm at the visitor center.

Space is limited and required reservations will open Friday, October 13, at 8:30 a.m. Contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit the website at www.nps.gov/fosc.

Those with reservations, please arrive 10 minutes early to allow time to park and get oriented, according to the press release. Participants are advised to please dress for the weather and conditions, as the entire tour will be outside and on sidewalks.

“We’ve been planning this for several years,”  Brenner, said. “But staff turnover precluded us from moving forward. All our pumpkins are in a line now and we can move forward.”

Carl Brenner.

Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, exhibit areas and visitor center are open daily from 8:30 a.m. to  4:30 p.m. The park grounds are open daily from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Fort Scott National Historic Site

What is the Hunter’s Moon Telling Us?

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Full moon over the Fort Scott National Historic Site Parade Ground. Photo credit: NPS, C. Brenner

Special Night Sky Program

Saturday, October 28, 2023, Fort Scott National Historic Site will share stories and a closer look at October’s full Hunter’s, or Hunting, Moon. The program will begin just after the moonrise at 6:30 pm and telescope viewing begins just after twilight at 7 pm.

Look up to the same October Hunter’s Moon as it ushers in fall and winter, discussing what it could mean to you and your family as people have done for centuries on the American frontier. Then look closer at the next frontier on our moon and other planets, or last frontier of deep space.

The Kansas Astronomical Observers will join Park Rangers with their telescopes, spotting scopes, and binoculars sharing how you can take a closer look at our moon from your own back yard.

Fort Scott National Historic Site’s, a unit of the National Park Service, exhibit areas and visitor center are open daily from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The park grounds are open daily from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.

-NPS-

 

Fort Scott National Historic Site, Government

Fort Scott National Historic Site Welcomes 96 New Citizens

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Special Naturalization Ceremony

 

Fort Scott Kan. – Thursday, September 14, 2023, Fort Scott National Historic Site will host the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration services (USCIS) and the U.S. District Court, Kansas District, for a Special Naturalization Ceremony. Check-in for new citizens begins at 8 am and the ceremony will begin at 10:30 am. The Honorable Teresa J. James, United States Magistrate Judge for the District of Kansas, will preside over the ceremony on the historic grounds of the Fort.

 

The ceremony features musical performances from the Fort Scott High School orchestra and choir, welcoming remarks by Acting Superintendent Carl Brenner and Mayor Matthew Wells, and an address from Mark McCoy, former city manager for the City of Fort Scott.

 

Approximately 95 applicants will be naturalized from 36 different countries (Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Burma, Canada, China, Congo (Kinshasa), Egypt, El Salvador, France, Ghana, Honduras, India, Iran, Israel, Jamaica, Kenya, Korea, South, Laos, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, and Vietnam) at the ceremony, which is open to the public. There will be seating for the applicants, but other seating will be limited. Friends, family, and guests are highly encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets for seating. In case of rain or other inclement weather, the ceremony will be held at Fort Scott Memorial Hall.

 

Fort Scott National Historic Site’s, a unit of the National Park Service, exhibit areas and visitor center are open daily from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The park grounds are open daily from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.

 

-NPS-

 

Credit Photo: NPS Photo

Fort Scott, Fort Scott National Historic Site

Friends of the Fort Scott National Historical Site Annual Meeting: Sept. 11

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Friends of the Fort Scott National Historical Site

Reed Hartford, president of the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site tells of some of the support services the group provided the fort to Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce attendees in 2017. Matt Wells is the current president.

 

The Friends of the Fort Scott National Historic Site, INC. (Friends) will have its Annual Meeting on Monday, September 11, 2023, at 6:00pm in Zimmerman Hall (the basement) in the Presbyterian Church on 3rd and Crawford Street (south entrance). This event is free and open to the public.

 

“The community and all members of the Friends are encouraged to attend,” said Matt Wells, President of the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site, INC. “We will elect new officers, begin planning for next year’s activities, and enjoy refreshments and a special discussion with Fire Chief David Bruner on the 22nd anniversary of 9/11,” continued Wells.

 

The Friends of the Fort Scott National Historic Site, INC was formed in 2009 to work in cooperation with Fort Scott National Historic Site. Members primary purpose is to support, advocate, and promote the importance of the Fort and its history through education, fundraising

Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott National Historic Site, History, Jobs

Labors and Leisure on the Frontier: Labor Day Weekend at Fort Scott National Historic Site

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Fort Scott Kan. – Saturday, September 2 through Monday, September 4, 2022, Fort Scott National Historic Site will take you on an exploration of the labors and leisure on an 1840s frontier post. Throughout Labor Day weekend enjoy live music, historic yard games, and a variety of living history demonstrations, and interpretive programs. Visit with soldiers, officer’s wives, laundresses, the post Sutler and find out about the labors of the fort and some of the leisure activities. All programs are free and open to the public. And enjoy ice cream, while it lasts, on Saturday at 11:30 am courtesy of the Friends of Fort Scott NHS, Inc.

 

On Saturday and Sunday, volunteer Katelyn Dancer will be playing the violin on Officer’s Row and volunteer Mathew Wells will be playing the guitar on the porch of the Dragoon’s Barracks. Monday September 4 at 11:00 am, the Prairie Sunflower Strings will be presenting a concert of folk music out on the parade ground.

 

Guided Fort Tours will be offered daily at 10 am and 1 pm. Ranger Charles will be presenting a program about Native American storytelling at 11 am on Saturday and Sunday.

 

 

Fort Scott National Historic Site’s, a unit of the National Park Service, exhibit areas and visitor center are open daily from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The park grounds are open daily from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.

 

-NPS-

 

NPS Photos credit: C. Brenner

Bourbon County, Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Fort Scott National Historic Site, Gordon Parks Museum, Legacy Health Foundation, Mercy Hospital

FS Quarterly Downtown Meeting: Events, Projects, Updates

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Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsey Madison opens the FS Downtown Meet and Greet.

There are several community projects happening in Fort Scott.

At the Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greeton July 11, facilitated by the Chamber of Commerce, leaders of several  of the projects gave updates. The event was hosted by Lyons Realty Group office.

Lindsey Madison, Chamber Executive Director, gave a summary of the upcoming events and promotions:

  •  July 15: Christmas in July Sidewalk Sale
  •  July 18: Patty LaRoche will present a book talk at Hedgehog.INK! from 7 to 8:30 p.m. LaRoche’s new book, A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection  will be featured.
  • August 4-6: Sales Tax Holiday Weekend, where participating businesses give customers a 9.4 percent discount on purchases.
  • Sept. 8-9: Town-wide Garage Sale
  • Sept. 9: Art Crawl by the Bourbon County Arts Council, the Artificers and more, from 2-6 p.m.
  • Sept. 16: Author Miranda Collins, Chanute, writer of Action Detective Mystery will be at Hedgehog.INK! at 2 p.m.
  • Sept. 21: Downtown Fall Fest, stores open until 8 p.m. for fall food snacks and shopping.
  • Oct. 28: Halloween Parade. Festivities start at 10 a.m., children’s downtown parade on Main Street at 11 a.m.
  • Nov. 9-11: Holiday Open House, kick off on Thursday from 5-8 p.m. with continued open house on Friday and Saturday.
  • Nov. 25: Shop Small Friday/Saturday in Fort Scott.
  • Nov. 30 Candy land Christmas with parade and festivities downtown.
  • Bailey Lyons gave an update on the splash pad project: Concrete is being poured this Thursday on the big splash pad. On July 15-16 volunteers are needed to help with landscaping projects: bring gloves and tools. The group has raised approximately $325,000 for the project nearing completion.
  • The new historic mural that will be created on Skubitz Plaza will be unveiled in coordination with the Gordon Parks Celebration on Oct. 6. The mural was approved by the city’s design review board this week, Jerry Witt, owner of the mural site building  said.
  • The multi-purpose pavilion to be on Skubitz Plaza is in the works, Madison said. The Farmers Market group will use the facility “and anyone else.”
  • The welcome arch to the city is being worked on by the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team and will go to the city’s design review board.
  • The Chamber Golf Classic is this Friday July 14 at Woodland Hills Golf Course. They are still accepting raffle items.
  • The Special Olympic Golf Tournament is July 29 at the same course.
  • The mountain bike race, the Marmaton Massacre Festival, will be Sept. 16 in Gunn Park.
  • The annual Naturalization Ceremony at the Fort Scott National Historic Site will be on a  Friday in September to be announced.
  • Grants available to businesses: E-Community at http://www.networkkansas.com and Grow KS.

Updates from attendees:

Bourbon County Commission Chairman Jim Harris said it is asphalt laying season in the county, “please be cautious of workers.”

“Since 2019 we’ve lowered the mill levy by 9.6%…I will not vote for a mill levy increase,” he said.

There is a new format for speaking at the commission meetings, he said: People must sign up and they get 5 minutes each to speak. “We want peoples input,” he said. “It’s OK to disagree but be professional.”

Harris said there is a request for proposals for the overpass project on the south side of Fort Scott. The commission will be applying for state and federal funds for the project.

Rob Harrington, Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Director, said they have been working on a Star Bond and TIF project south of town, and it will be “huge to the community.” His office is at the former Mercy Hospital building,  now owned by Legacy Health Foundation.

Kari West, Lead Customer Solutions Manager at Evergy, said the utility company hasn’t had an increase in five years and they are requesting one. Evergy purchased property north and west of their current location on Skubitz Plaza with plans to move to that site.

The Fort Scott Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet at Lyons Realty Group,, 8 E. Wall, on July 11.
Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Fort Scott National Historic Site

Chamber Coffee at FS National Historic Site on July 6

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ANNOUNCING THIS WEEK’S
CHAMBER COFFEE
Join us for Chamber Coffee hosted by

Friends of Fort Scott

National Historic Site

Thursday, July 6th

8am

Fort Scott National Historic Site

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee this Thursday, July 6th at 8 a.m. hosted by Friends of Fort Scott NHS. The Chamber Coffee will be at the Fort Scott National Historic Site and will be in the park’s Theater on the second floor of the Infantry Barracks just west, to the left, of the Visitor Center. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served in addition to a door prize drawing.

Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site’s mission is to be a friend of the National Historic Site and their primary purpose is to support the National Historic Site in a partnership through activities that may include fundraising, volunteerism, education, advocacy and research. To do that they need to raise funds and they raise funds through their Flag Subscription Program.

 

They are promoting the Wahzhazhe Osage ballet which is to be preformed at the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of the Fort Scott Community College on July 21st at 7:30pm, and July 22nd at 3:00pm and 7:30pm. The rich history of the Osage Nation is brought to life in a stunningly beautiful stage performance using traditional drums, costumes, and contemporary dance. The heart-pounding drumbeats, rhythmic dancing, and compelling stories of Wahzhazhe are sure to delight dancing enthusiasts and history fans of all ages.

 

Any member business or organization wanting to host Chamber Coffee in 2022 is encouraged to contact the Chamber to save a date by calling 620-223-3566 or emailing [email protected].

 

Click here for their Facebook page!

We hope to see you there!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members
shown below!
FORT SCOTT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
620-223-3566
Facebook  Twitter
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Fort Scott National Historic Site, Government, History

Join Fort Scott NHS for the Sights and Sounds of American Independence

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NPS photo.

 

 

Fort Scott Kan. – Celebrate American independence with the sounds of cannon fire and immersion in America’s history while honoring the service men and women who have defended the United States through the growth of our nation.

 

On Saturday and Sunday, July 1st and 2nd,  we will fire artillery, host interpretive programs/discussions addressing the differences between officers and enlisted men, lead Fort tours, and play historic games. Join Ranger Jessica for a nature walk on Saturday and Tuesday. The Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site, Inc. will be serving free ice cream at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.

 

On Tuesday July 4th,  black powder programs will continue with artillery demonstrations and a special program/discussion on the meanings of the Declaration of Independence.

 

SATURDAY, JULY 1

9 a.m. – Tallgrass Prairie Walk

10 a.m. – Ranger Guided Tour of the Fort

11 a.m. – Artillery Demonstration

11:30  a.m. – Homemade Ice Cream (Friends of Fort Scott NHS, Inc.)

Noon – Historic Games

1 p.m. – Ranger Guided Tour of the Fort

2 p.m. – Artillery Demonstration

3 p.m. – Rank has Privileges: Interpretive Discussion

 

SUNDAY, JULY 2

10 a.m. – Ranger Guided Tour of the Fort

11 a.m. – Artillery Demonstration

Noon – Historic Games

1 p.m. – Ranger Guided Tour of the Fort

2 p.m. – Artillery Demonstration

3 p.m. – Rank has Privileges: Interpretive Discussion

 

TUESDAY, JULY 4

10 a.m. – Ranger Guided Tour of the Fort

11 a.m. – Artillery Demonstration

Noon – Tallgrass Prairie Walk

1 p.m. – Ranger Guided Tour of the Fort

2 p.m. – Artillery Demonstration

3 p.m. – We Hold These Truths: Meanings of the Declaration of Independence Discussion

4 p.m. – Flag Retreat

 

Park grounds are open daily from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.

-NPS-