Fort Scott, Kan. – Thursday, October 31, 2024, join Fort Scott National Historic Site for a special candle lantern walk through the Murder and Mayhem at the Fort. Tour leaders, 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. These four special Halloween lantern tours will start every 30 minutes beginning at 6:30 pm. Tours are free and open to the public however space is limited and required reservations will open Friday, October 18, at 8:30 am.
Those with reservations, please arrive 10 minutes early to allow time to park and get oriented. Participants are advised to please dress for the weather and conditions, as the entire tour will be outside and on sidewalks.
Fort Scott National Historic Site’s, a unit of the National Park Service, exhibit areas and 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. 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.
New citizens during the naturalization ceremony in 2015.
Fort Scott National Historic Site is hosting the U.S. Federal Court proceeding by the U.S. District Court, Kansas District, and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Friday, September 20 at 10:30 a.m.
“The park hosts the proceedings by providing the venue, and, working with the community and state, offers added value to the new citizens, their families, and the community,” said Carl Brenner, Program Manager for Interpretation and Resource Management
Fort Scott National Historic Site (www.nps.gov/fosc.)
Carl Brenner, Program Manager for Interpretation and Resource Management Fort Scott National Historic Site.
“This includes snacks for the naturalizing citizens before the ceremony, a beautiful and historic setting for the event, information about the community and its businesses, and the opportunity to fulfill the civic duty by registering to vote.” he said. “There are also a series of clubs, organizations, and state and local groups helping to make this happen (it takes a village). The Kansas Secretary of State’s office will have a representative here to register voters, new citizens or otherwise.”
What does one have to do to become a citizen?
“Section 312 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) requires naturalization applicants to demonstrate an understanding of the English language, including an ability to read, write, and speak words in ordinary usage in the English language, and demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government (civics). To meet the requirements of Section 312 of the INA, applicants must pass a naturalization test to become U.S. citizens. The naturalization test consists of two components: an English language and a civics component. The English language component tests applicants on their ability to speak, read, write, and understand the English language. Applicants who fail one or both test components will have a second opportunity to pass both portions of the test, called a re-exam. More info at www.uscis.gov/citizenship We have been running some of the questions on our Facebook page this week.”
Today’s questions on its Facebook page:
Wednesday’s Questions:
Who does a U.S. Senator represent?
What is one reason colonists came to America?
If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
Jane Njeri Lifer smiles following the naturalization ceremony in 2017. In her hand is the certificate of naturalization.
The Ceremony
“Check-in begins at 9 a.m., and the ceremony begins at 10:30. Fort Scott VFW Post 1165, Olson-Frary-Burkhart Post, will be the Color Guard. Musical performances from the Fort Scott High School Orchestra, with welcoming remarks by Fort Scott National Historic Site Superintendent Jill Jaworski and Fort Scott City Manager Brad Matkin. A keynote address will be made by Angela Bates, founder, past president, and current executive director of the Nicodemus Historical Society and Museum,” he said.
Jill Jaworski, Fort Scott National Historic Site Superintendent. Submitted photo.Brad Matkin, Fort Scott City Manager. Submitted photo.Angela Bates, founder, past president, and current executive director of the Nicodemus Historical Society and Museum. Submitted photo.
“We are looking at 201 naturalized citizens from 57 different countries. One of the largest ceremonies in the National Park Service,” he said.
Countries represented are Algeria, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burma, Cameroon, Canada, China, Colombia, Congo (Kinshasa), Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Laos, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sudan, Syria, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, United Kingdom, and Vietnam.
A prior Naturalization Ceremony at Fort Scott National Historic Site. Photo credit NPS.
The public is invited to attend the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site (FSNHS) being held TONIGHT at the Herbert House located at 512 S. Judson.
This meeting will feature a program “The Greatest Test of Courage: A Story of WWII and the Philippines”, presented by Ronda Hassig. The program begins at 6pm. Light appetizer refreshments will be served.
Join us to learn about the Friends work on behalf of FSNHS and a little known WWII story in one of Fort Scott premier historic homes.
The Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site is a non-profit organization established in partnership with the National Park Service to support and promote the preservation and interpretation of FSNHS.
September 16, 2024
512 S. Judson St.
6pm
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
Fort Scott, Kan. – Friday, September 20, 2024, 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 of 202 new citizens from 57 countries. Check-in for new citizens begins at 9 a.m. and the ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. The Honorable Teresa J. James, United States Magistrate Judge for the District of Kansas, will preside over the proceedings on the historic fort Parade Ground.
The ceremony features musical performances from the Fort Scott High School Orchestra, with welcoming remarks by Fort Scott National Historic Site Superintendent Jill Jaworski and Fort Scott City Manager Brad Matkin. A keynote address will be made by Angela Bates, founder, past president, and current executive director of the Nicodemus Historical Society and Museum.
There will be seating for the applicants, but additional seating will be limited. Friends, family, guests, and the public are highly encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets for seating. In case of rain or inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to Fort Scott’s Memorial Hall.
Fort Scott is the story of the growth of our nation, and its fight for freedom. On the same parade ground that the very first African Americans were brought into the Northern Armies to openly fight for their freedom and a better life, these new citizens are starting down their own path of freedom and a better life.
September 17 to 23, the nation observes Constitution Week. The commemoration honors both the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787, (Constitution Day), an observance that began in 1940 as “I Am an American Day,” and Citizenship Day that began in 1952 based on a law signed by President Harry Truman,
Each year, USCIS celebrates the connection between the Constitution and citizenship by reflecting on what it means to be a citizen of the United States and holding special naturalization ceremonies across the country.
We encourage new citizens and guests to share their naturalization ceremony experiences and photos through social media, using the hashtags #NewUSCitizen #ConstitutionWeek, #FortScottNPS, and #FindYourPark.
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, 10:30 a.m.
WHERE:
Fort Scott National Historic Site
1 Old Fort Blvd.
Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701
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Credit Photo as: NPS Photo, Naturalization Ceremony at Fort Scott National Historic Site.
Fort Scott, Kan. – Celebrate American independence with the sounds of cannon fire and immersion in America’s history while honoring the men and women who have defended the United States through the growth of our nation.
On Thursday, July 4th, we will fire artillery, lead Fort tours, and honor all those who have fought for our freedom with a 21 gun salute.
THURSDAY, JULY 4
9 a.m. – Artillery Demonstration
10 a.m. – Ranger Guided Tour of the Fort
11 a.m. – Artillery Demonstration
1 p.m. – Ranger Guided Tour of the Fort
2 p.m. – Artillery Demonstration
3 p.m. – Small Arms (musket) Demonstration/ 21 gun salute to our nation
Visitors and community members are reminded that fireworks are not permitted on the grounds of Fort Scott National Historic Site.
Park buildings will be open from 8:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. July 4th, but the bookstore will be closed. 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.
Carl Brenner, Fort Scott National Historic Site, introduces the Oklahoma Fancy Dancers to the audience on the fort’s grounds on June 1. To the right is the singer/drummer for the troupe.
As part of the Good Ol’ Days event, Native American dancers entertained the audience on the grounds of the Fort Scott National Historic Site.
The Oklahoma Fancy Dancers, a professional Native American dance troupe from Norman, displayed song, dance, and storytelling on June 1 at the site.
A young audience member converses during the dance troupe performance.
The Oklahoma Fancy Dancers are a group of powwow champions that formed a professional Native American dance troupe. All the dancers are enrolled tribal members, most full-blood, representing various tribes. The dance regalia worn by each dancer is brilliantly colorful, traditional, and representative of the dancer’s tribe and dance performed, according to: https://www.arts.ok.gov/Oklahoma_Performing_Artists/Oklahoma_Fancy_Dancers.html?
The audience is asked to join the dance troupe in a social dance.
The dance show was educational, informational, and entertaining, showcasing various traditional American Indian tribal dances and storytelling.
The Oklahoma Fancy Dancers in their dance regalia.
The day also included an artillery demonstration/discussion, some ranger-guided site tours, the Windy Hollow Folk Music group, and the dancers.
Fort Scott National Historic Site, of the National Park Service, has exhibit areas and a visitor center 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 learn more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please get in touch with the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.
Fort Scott, Kan. – Join a ranger for a walk back in time to the “Good’ Ol’ Days” Saturday, June 1, 2024. Programs and living history activities will be ongoing from 9:30 am – 3 pm. All activities are free and open to the public. To find out more, please contact the park at 620-223-0310.
SATURDAY, JUNE 1
9:30 a.m. – Artillery Demonstration/Discussion
10 a.m. – Ranger Guided Tour of the Fort
10 a.m. – Windy Hollow Folk Music (10-2)
11 a.m. – Artillery Demonstration/Discussion
1 p.m. – Ranger Guided Tour of the Fort
2 p.m. – Oklahoma Fancy Dancers (Native American Cultural Presentation)
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.
Fort Scott, Kan. – Fort Scott National Historic Site invites you to join the park in placing the flags for the “Symbols of Sacrifice” Field of Honor Friday morning, May 24, 2024. We welcome everyone to participate and encourage individuals and groups to plan on arriving at 8:30 a.m. and help as long as you are available.
Symbols of Sacrifice continues the entire Memorial Day Weekend, Friday, May 24th through Monday, May 27th. The Field of Honor will be open throughout during normal park grounds hours from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset all weekend. Fort Scott National Historic Site also encourages volunteers to help us retire the display on Tuesday, May 28th. This is an all-weather event.
The Field of Honor with its approximately 8,500 flags commemorate the ultimate sacrifice members of the United States Armed Forces have made to keep this country free. Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day. It originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971.
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.
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)
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.
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!
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.
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Credit Photo as: NPS Photo, Prescribed fire at the entrance to the Tallgrass Prairie Trail.
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.
