Category Archives: Fort Scott National Historic Site

Entertainment, Fort Scott National Historic Site, History

How was Life at Fort Scott During the Civil War

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Experience it Without Needing to Enlist!

 

Fort Scott, Kan. – Fort Scott National Historic Site is hosting its Annual Civil War Encampment, April 20 and 21, 2024.  Join us each day to experience artillery, cavalry, and infantry troops drilling, preparing for battle, and firing their weapons, talk to a blacksmith as he brings raw metal to life with his hammer, and learn about the process of tintype photography.

 

“We are grateful to have the generous support and participation from the Holmes Brigade, Friends of Fort Scott, Inc., Fort Smith National Historic Site’s Cavalry Troop, and plenty of new and returning Fort Scott National Historic Site volunteers alike,” said Superintendent Jill Jaworski. “We encourage everyone to step back in time and smell, hear, see, and experience life at the fort.”

 

On Saturday: hear the true story of abolitionist James Montgomery and his war on slavery in the authors discussion of his book Abolitionist of the Most Dangerous Kind, by Todd Mildfelt and David D. Schafer, learn about Jennison’s Jayhawkers 7th Kansas Cavalry from historian Arnold Schofield, smell bread baking, learn about Civil War medicine and the evolution of weapons, and be serenaded by the Prairie Sunflower Strings!

 

On Sunday: learn about tintype photography and its process, discuss Civil War medicine, and join a guided tour of the fort. The weekend is full of fun and games for the whole family straight from the 1800’s!

 

Encampment Schedule:

 

SATURDAY, APRIL 20

Interpreters will be at the firing range with historic weapons and doing demonstrations around the site throughout the day.

  • 9 a.m.         Raising the Colors (Garrison Flagpole)
  • 9:30 a.m.   Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration (Black Powder Area)
  • 10 a.m.       Ranger Guided Tour of the Fort (Meet at Visitor Center)
  • 10:30 a.m.  Cavalry Program (Next to Stables)
  • 11 a.m.       Authors David Schafer and Todd Mildfelt: Abolitionists of the Most Dangerous Kind (Infantry Barracks Theater)
  • Noon          Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration (Black Powder Area)
  • 1 p.m.         Prairie Sunflowers Strings Musical Performance (Hospital Porch)
  • 1:30 p.m.    Lunette Blair Discussion (Meet at the Lunette Blair on Skubitz Plaza)
  • 2 p.m.         Cavalry Program (Next to Stables)
  • 3 p.m.         Arnold Schofield: Jennison’s Jayhawkers 7th Kansas Cavalry
  • 4 p.m.         Flag Retreat with Infantry (Garrison Flagpole)
  • 4:30 p.m.    Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration (Black Powder Area)
  • 6 p.m.         Camp Dance (Memorial Hall)

 

SUNDAY, APRIL 21

Interpreters will be at the firing range with historic weapons and doing demonstrations around the site throughout the day.

  • 9 a.m.         Raising the Colors (Garrison Flagpole)
  • 9:30 am      Historic Church Service (Dragoon Barracks)
  • 10 a.m.       Ranger Guided Tour of the Fort (Meet at Visitor Center)
  • 10:30 a.m.  Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration (Black Powder Area)
  • 11 a.m.       Infantry Weapons Demonstration (Black Powder Area)
  • Noon          Cavalry Program (Next to Stables)
  • 1 p.m.         Guided Tour of the Fort (Meet at Visitor Center)
  • 1:30 p.m.    Lunette Blair Discussion (Meet at the Lunette Blair on Skubitz Plaza)
  • 2:00 p.m.    1st Kansas Program (Infantry Barracks Theater)
  • 3 p.m.         Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration (Black Powder Area)
  • 3:30 p.m.    Infantry Weapons Demonstration (Black Powder Area)
  • 4 p.m.         Flag Retreat (Garrison Flagpole)

 

Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, exhibit areas and visitor center are currently open Friday through Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 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, Fort Scott National Historic Site

Are You A Friend of The Fort?

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Sending on behalf of Chamber Member Friends of the Fort Scott National Historic Site…

Membership Drive

The Friends of the Fort Scott National Historic Site, Inc. is a group dedicated to supporting the local unit of the National Park Service through fund-raising, volunteerism, education, and advocacy.

Are you a friend of our Fort?

In 2023, the Friends of the Fort provided educational, volunteer, and financial support for the “Wahzhazhe: an Osage Ballet” including guest speakers, book discussions, and free theatre tickets for the opening night of “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Also, the sold-out December Fort Candlelight Tour, and the Naturalization event in the fall are just a few of the ways that your membership dues helps advocate for the Fort!

Click here for a printable application!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
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Fort Scott National Historic Site

Prescribed Fire Planned in March at Fort Scott National Historic Site

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Fort Scott, Kan. – Park managers at Fort Scott National Historic Site, in coordination with Fire Managers at the US Fish and Wildlife Service from Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge, plan to burn the five-acre restored prairie this March 2024. The soonest date will be this Wednesday, March 13th, if conditions are safe and will meet the park’s goals. The specific date and ignition will depend upon weather conditions and the burn may be postponed or canceled if conditions are unfavorable.

 

“We are looking forward to implementing this prescribed fire (Rx) project with the assistance of our interagency neighbors. Our ability to annually use fire to enhance the resilience of the ecosystem, results in a more diverse tallgrass prairie, and provides a better habitat for migratory birds and pollinators.” said Jill Jaworski, Superintendent, Fort Scott National Historic Site. Like all prescribed fires, the plans for the tallgrass prairie Rx contain a set of parameters which define (among other things) the expected weather and fuel conditions under which the fire can be initiated. Prior to implementing the burn, fire managers will evaluate current conditions and will only ignite the fire if all of the prescribed conditions are within those parameters.

 

During typical Rx fire activity, daytime smoke disperses to the northwest, up and over the highway. Coordination with the City of Fort Scott, Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas State Highway Patrol, and Kansas Department of Transportation is already underway for this prescribed fire. Smoke impacts or traffic delays on Highway 69 are not expected during the burn.

 

-NPS-

 

Credit Photo as: NPS Photo, Prescribed fire at the entrance to the Tallgrass Prairie Trail.

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Fire Suppression System Is Being Replaced at the Fort Scott National Historic Site in 2024

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Fort Scott National Historic Site is beginning a year-long Fire Suppression System replacement in nine buildings.

The first two buildings are the Dragoon Barracks and Post Hospital/Visitor Center.

While work is being completed in the Post Hospital, the Visitor Center’s information desk has been temporarily moved into the West Infantry Barracks next door.

The park’s bookstore will be closed until the Post Hospital is reopened.

The contractor will be spending about two months on each pair of buildings.

Once they have completed the Post Hospital and Dragoon Barracks at the end of February, they will move to the Post Headquarters and the Quartermaster’s Storehouse.

The third set will be Officer’s Quarters #1 and the Stables beginning in early May, then Officers Quarters #4 and the West Infantry Barracks.

The final building will be the East Infantry Barracks and Grand Hall.

Each set of building will be closed during construction.

While buildings are closed, we encourage you to take advantage of the many digital tools already available to explore Fort Scott National Historic Site, including: virtual tours, photo galleries, mobile app, Facebook, and Instagram.

This project will be replacing the entire Fire Suppression system in each of these nine buildings including all valves, piping, sprinkler heads, wiring, and the exterior connection to the main water line.

This project is funded through Fee Recreation monies not tax dollars.

When you pay an entrance fee at a national park, 80% of that money stays in that park. The remaining 20% is available to parks without entrance fees like Fort Scott.

Fort Scott National Historic Site’s, a unit of the National Park Service, exhibit areas and temporary visitor center are open Friday through Tuesday 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.

 

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Fort Scott National Historic Site Temporarily Reduces Its Hours

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Photo: NPS

Fort Scott National Historic Site is temporarily reducing its hours of operation to 8:30am-4:30pm Friday through Tuesday tentatively through the end of March.

The park grounds will not be closing, only the park’s public buildings and Visitor Center on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Due to an extended staffing shortage the park is temporarily unable to provide adequate operational coverage and visitor services.

The staff shortage  “appears to be a combination of a smaller applicant pool at all levels which is also leading to staffing shortages in the Human Resources offices at the regional and national levels,” said Carl Brenner, FSNHS Program Manager for Interpretation and Resource Management.

Administrative and facility operations will continue as normal. By the end of March, the park projects returning to normal operations seven days each week.

We encourage you to take advantage of the many digital tools already available to explore Fort Scott National Historic Site, including: virtual tours, photo galleries, mobile app, Facebook, and Instagram.

Fort Scott National Historic Site’s, a unit of the National Park Service, exhibit areas and temporary visitor center are open Friday through Tuesday 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.

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott National Historic Site

Help Count Birds for Science during the 124th Annual Christmas Bird Count

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Credit Photo as: Tufted Titmouse. Photo: Michele Black/Great Backyard Bird Count

Fort Scott National Historic Site (park) and Marais Des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge (refuge) are setting up a trial run for a new Christmas Bird Count “Circle” with the National Audubon Society.

The park and refuge invite birdwatchers to participate in the longest running community science survey, the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC).

Saturday, December 16, birders and nature enthusiasts should meet at the park’s Visitor Center in Fort Scott at 7:30 and/or 10 am. No experience is necessary to participate in the count.

 

Counts will be led by Fort Scott National Historic Site Park Ranger Jessica Nielsen and US Fish and Wildlife Visitor Services Coordinator Nova Clarke.

“Currently, there is no data being collected for the Christmas Bird Count in Bourbon County,” said Jessica Nielsen. “To establish a new count location, the Audubon Society recommends holding a trial count. This event will serve as Fort Scott National Historic Site’s trial run, with staff hoping to establish an official count for 2025.”

 

This year, the Audubon Christmas Bird Count will mobilize nearly 80,000 volunteer bird counters in more than 2,600 locations across the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America.

The Audubon Christmas Bird Count utilizes the power of volunteers to track the health of bird populations at a scale that scientists could never accomplish alone.

 

When combined with other surveys such as the Breeding Bird Survey, Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count provides a picture of how the continent’s bird populations have changed in time and space over the past hundred years. The long-term perspective is vital for conservationists. It informs strategies to protect birds, and their habitat, and helps identify environmental issues with implications for people as well. Christmas Bird Count data have been used in more than 300 peer-reviewed articles.

 

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.

 

-NPS-

 

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

FSNHS Candlelight Tour: A History Immersion

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Jessica Nielsen leads a group to each historical vignette at Fort Scott National Historic Site on December 2, 2023.

The 42nd Annual Fort Scott National Historic Site Candlelight Tour, December 1 and 2 was entitled Glowing Heartbeats of History.

The vignettes of local history focused on the physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health of the soldiers and local townspeople.

The temperatures in the 40s and damp weather did not stop people from attending the tour this year.

1,000 candle lanterns illuminated the site with a peaceful ambiance and reenactors helped bring 1860s history alive at the fort.

During the tour, participants were immersed in ways people have historically been provided the opportunity to be well, despite their circumstances, according to a press release from the fort.

The Fort Scott High School Drama Club wrote the scene at the hospital tent for the tour, the other vignettes were written by the FSNHS staff, Carl Brenner, Program Manager for Interpretation and Resource Management said.

 

About the Fort

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 to 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.

From left, Dwayne Gentleman, Dee Young, Skip Thomas, and Jan Elder converse about life in the community in the 1860s. Submitted by Carl Brenner/NPS. This vignette was at the Officers’ Quarters No. 2 and was a discussion of the budding romance of John Little and Sene Campbell and the growth of the town amidst conflict. Photo credit: Carl Brenner/NPS.

 

The fort’s well is in the center of the Fort Scott National Historic Site compound.
From left to right, Cassie Edson, Susan Anderson, and Chris Morgan depict hospital treatment of injury and disease during the Civil War.
Left to right, Justin Hall, Chris Schafer, and Amanda Clark are a group of performers called the Homes Brigade Minstrels, who portrayed the benefits of music during the Civil War. The trio led the group in singing a few Christmas carols.
From left, Luke Leighsing and Matthew Wells tell of the health of the horses and survival needs for patrolling the overland trails. Photo credit: Carl Brenner/NPS.

 

Area News, Fort Scott National Historic Site, History

A Deeper Look at Native Americans and the Civil War

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Chief Opothleyahola, Credit Photo as: National Archives Photo

 

Fort Scott National Historic Site concludes the first year of Native American Experience programming with two chapters from the Civil War in Kansas.

The first presentation, “A Shield Against the World”: Opothleyahola and the Trail of Blood on Ice Campaign in the Civil War, is by Dr. Michelle M. Martin on Saturday, November 18th, at 1 pm.

The second presentation, “Allies and Adversaries”: The role of American Indians in the Civil War west of the Mississippi River, is by Arnold W. Schofield on Sunday, November 19th, at 2 pm.

Both programs will be held in the park’s Theater on the second floor of the western Infantry Barracks.

 

“A Shield Against the World”: During the American Civil War the Five Southeastern Nations in the Indian Territory were divided. Pro‐Union, Pro‐Confederate, and Neutral factions developed within the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Mvskoke, and Seminole Nations. Wishing to remain neutral, Mvskoke leader Opothleyahola provided shelter to men, women, and children who wanted to stay out of the war. In the fall of 1861 Opothleyahola’s followers neared 10,000 and he led them on a desperate flight north to the safety of Union Kansas. Dr. Michelle M. Martin, an Assistant Professor of History/Coordinator of the Public History Certificate in the Department of History at Northeastern State University, will share this incredible and often misunderstood event in Native American history.

 

“Allies and Adversaries”: The program will be presented by retired NPS Historian Arnold W. Schofield, and its primary focus will be on the organization, recruitment and combat history of the Three Regiments of Indian Home Guards from Kansas. The program will close on an unknown aspect of the Civil War in Kansas, the Indian uprising by the plains tribes in 1864.

 

 

Dr. Michelle M. Martin is a Michigan native who made her way west after completing her BA and MA degrees in history at Western Michigan University. From 1997-2015 she lived in Fort Scott, Kansas and Bartlesville, Oklahoma where she taught history at the community college and university levels and worked as a museum professional and historical consultant to the television and film industries. While living in Kansas and Oklahoma Martin volunteered her time to various national, state, and local historic sites including Fort Scott NHS, Fort Larned NHS, Constitution Hall, Mine Creek Battlefield, and Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield. She earned her doctorate in history (and a minor in museum studies) at the University of New Mexico in 2022 with highest honors. Her dissertation was selected for the Linda Williams Reese Award from the Oklahoma Historical Society as the Outstanding Dissertation on Oklahoma History in March 2023. In August 2023 she joined the faculty in the Department of History at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Her areas of interest include Native American history, the U.S. West from 1800-1925, Kansas history from 1854-1865, interracial marriage and family in North America, and Public History. Her current project explores interracial marriage in the Mvskoke Nation during the Indian Territorial period.

 

Arnold W. Schofield is a retired NPS Historian who spent much of his civilian career at Fort Scott National Historic Site. He is currently a researcher, public speaker, and traveling lecturer around the region.

 

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.

 

-NPS-

 

 

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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
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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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