Fort Scott, Kan. – The leaves are changing for fall and winter, so are the hours of operation at Fort Scott National Historic Site. Beginning Sunday, November 1, the park historic structures will be open daily from 8:30 am–4:30 pm through March 31, 2021. 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, the museum, and historic objects. A walk through the fort reveals the significant role it played in the opening of the West, as well as, 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. For more information about Fort Scott National Historic Site programs or other activities, please call the park at 620-223-0310, or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.
Officer’s duplex at Fort Scott National Historic Site. Submitted by Carl Brenner.
Fort Scott Kan. – Fort Scott National Historic Site has contractors beginning work next week to remove and replace the cedar shake shingles, eave troughs, and downspouts on seven (7) restored and reconstructed buildings. To allow the work to proceed as quickly and safely as possible, no more than one building will be temporarily closed at one time and the entire project will last approximately eight (8) months. Beginning with the Guard House, all three Officer’s Duplexes, both Infantry Barracks, and the Dragoon Barracks will be included.
Much of the funding for these projects is from park entrance fees collected at other National Parks. Additional federal monies are specifically identified for deferred maintenance projects around the country.
Information about the building closures will be available on www.nps.gov/fosc, on signs and park bulletin boards, shared with local media outlets, and posted on park social media outlets in advance of building closures. These schedules are subject to change with limited notice due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
From April 1-October 31, Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, will be open for its summer hours of operation. The site exhibit areas are open daily from 8:00 am-5:00 pm. The park grounds are open daily from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or learn more at www.nps.gov/fosc.
Submitted by FRIENDS OF FORT SCOTT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE, KELLEY COLLINS, 417-684-2484
The Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site Inc. is taking new subscriptions for their “Fly the U.S. Flag” project. The Friend’s U.S. flag project provides homeowners and businesses, within the city limits of Fort Scott, the opportunity to fly the Stars and Stripes on five different flag holidays without the hassle of purchasing, erecting, and storing a flag and pole. You don’t even have to remember the holiday!
For $35 annually, the Friends will install a 3’x5′ flag on a 12-foot staff at your home or business on each of the following Flag Holidays in 2021:
Memorial Day
Flag Day
Fourth of July
Labor Day
Veteran’s Day
Sign up by October 8, 2020, and you will also get Veteran’s Day 2020 included in the offer–SIX DAYS for the price of FIVE!!!
Agreements can be obtained at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce or can be emailed to you. Contact Kelley Collins at 417-684-2484 or Martha Scott at 620-224-9924 for further information.
All proceeds support programs at Fort Scott National Historic Site. These include Symbols of Sacrifice, a Citizenship Ceremony, Candlelight Tour, Youth Engagement, and many others.
Show your patriotism and help our local National Park by lining the streets of Fort Scott with our nation’s symbol!
The U.S. Flag Project is a yearly project sponsored by the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site. This offer is for new subscribers only. Current subscribers will be mailed a renewal notice in January for the 2021 season.
The Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site want to invite the public to their Annual Meeting this Monday, September 14 at The Fort Scott National Historic Site at 7 p.m. It will be held outside on the Fort grounds so we can social distance and you must wear a mask.
Fort Scott National Historic Site is beginning to increase recreational access to Historic Buildings
Fort Scott Kan. – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Fort Scott National Historic Site is increasing recreational access and programming. The National Park Service (NPS) is working service-wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.
Beginning Wednesday, August 19, Fort Scott National Historic Site will reopen access to:
All public buildings for self-guided visitation.
Resume park guided tours at 10 am and 1 pm.
In addition, the following spaces continue to be available:
All trails, walkways, sidewalks, grounds, and the tallgrass prairie.
With public health in mind, the following facilities remain closed at this time:
The Western National Parks Association store and information desk.
The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continue to be paramount. At Fort Scott National Historic Site, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance and will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.
While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding, and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.
The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19, and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.
We have amazing virtual tours of Fort Scott National Historic Site, all of the time, so for people who are still homeschooling or not traveling at this time check out www.nps.gov/fosc/learn/photosmultimedia/virtualtour.htm.
Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website www.nps.gov/fosc and social media channels. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.
From April 1-October 31, Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, will be open for its summer hours of operation. The site exhibit areas are open daily from 8:00 am-5:00 pm. The park grounds are open daily from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or learn more at www.nps.gov/fosc.
Fort Scott National Historic Site is Modifying Operations to Implement Latest Health Guidance
Fort Scott Kan. – Fort Scott National Historic Site is announcing modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and local and state authorities to promote social distancing. As of Wednesday, March 18, at 12 p.m., the Fort Scott National Historic Site Parkstore and visitor contact desk area is closed until further notice. The upcoming Spring Civil War Encampment event will be rescheduled for a future date TBD.
Where it is possible to adhere to the latest health guidance, all Museum, exhibit areas, and fort buildings (including the Post Hospital) remain open. Rangers will be roving the site providing information and orientation. Outdoor spaces will remain open to provide healthy options for the public such as park walkways, trails, and the tallgrass prairie.
Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of the digital tools already available to explore Fort Scott National Historic Site. Please continue to enjoy the park through the park’s mobile app. There are many educational resources available to explore on the Fort Scott National Historic Site webpage to help you stay connected to your national park.
The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners at Fort Scott National Historic Site is our number one priority. The National Park Service (NPS) is working with the federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. We will notify the public when we resume full operations and provide updates on our website and social media channels.
The NPS urges visitors to do their part when visiting a park and to follow CDC guidance to prevent the spread of infectious diseases by maintaining a safe distance between yourself and other groups; washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; and most importantly, staying home if you feel sick.
For high-risk populations, such as the elderly and people with underlying conditions, we ask that they take extra caution and follow CDC guidance for those at higher risk of serious illness.
Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus. Please check with individual parks for specific details about park operations.
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 buildings 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. 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 celebrating Women’s History Month in March with weekly Saturday interpretive programs. “Though in 1861, the constitution of the newly created state of Kansas includes ‘the rights of women to participate in school district elections’, it wasn’t until 1919 that Kansas ratified the 19th Amendment,” said Betty Boyko, Superintendent, Fort Scott National Historic Site. “This series of programs around Women’s Suffrage and the 19th Amendment is the beginning of a larger discussion the park will host throughout the year.”
March 7, Noon: Alice Paul and the Suffrage Movement
In 1920, the 19th Amendment was certified into law, giving women the right to vote. Paul believed the vote was just the first step in the quest for full equality. Join us in a discussion of women’s suffrage and equal rights in the United States
March 14, 1 pm: Frontier Gossip
An interpretive program based on the letters written by Charlotte Swords and her husband, Thomas. Captain Thomas Swords was the post quartermaster. He and his wife were prolific writers and were eager to tell the stories of the times.
March 21, 1 pm: Woman’s History Tour of the Fort
Discuss the women that made a difference at the fort and in shaping the west on this walk through the Fort.
March 28, Noon: Alice Paul and the Suffrage Movement
In 1920, the 19th Amendment was certified into law, giving women the right to vote. Paul believed the vote was just the first step in the quest for full equality. Join us in a discussion of women’s suffrage and equal rights in the United States.
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. 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.
This Saturday, February 29th, Ranger Barry presents ‘A Most Diverse Army’.
The program explores the challenges and prejudices that African Americans faced in becoming a part of the Union Army during the Civil War. Participants will discuss the pros and cons of joining the Union Army and the First Kansas Colored.
One of the goals of the program is to discuss the issues and biases present at the time and those that pervade society today while maintaining respect for all persons involved.
Fort Scott Kan. – Fort Scott National Historic Site is celebrating Women’s History Month in March with two living history clothing workshops focusing on mid-19th century women.
The Bonnet Workshop is Saturday, March 7, from 9 am to 1 pm and the Petticoat Workshop is Saturday, March 14, from 9:30 am to 3 pm. Please call or text Kelley Collins at 417-684-2484 to reserve a spot.
Bonnet Workshop: During this bonnet workshop, you will learn the popular styles of the time period and create a straw bonnet for yourself or the fort’s “magic room” clothing closet. Knowledge of basic hand sewing skills is recommended. Please call or text Kelley Collins at 417-684-2484 by Friday, February 21 if you plan to attend. You will receive a materials list upon registration if you are making a bonnet for yourself. This includes a source for ordering the straw bonnet form you will need for the workshop. Supplies for individuals making bonnets for the magic room will be furnished.
Petticoat Workshop: Learn about mid-19th century skirt supports and create a corded petticoat for yourself or the fort’s “magic room” clothing closet. Basic sewing skills are required. A sewing machine is desirable but not mandatory as the fort has two machines available. Please call or text Kelley Collins at 417-684-2484 by March 7 if you plan to attend. A materials list is available for those creating their own petticoat. Fabric and other supplies are available to those making petticoats for the magic room.
Fort Scott Kan. – Fort Scott National Historic Site will host a free guided bird walk Monday, February 17, from 7 to 9 am and 1 to 3 pm, for the Great Backyard Bird Count.
A National Park Service Ranger will lead two easy, one-mile, two-hour birdwatching walks starting from the Visitor Center. Rangers and participants will record all bird sightings and upload the data to the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC). This walk is for birders of all skill levels and you don’t have to stay for the entire program to make a difference. Birders are encouraged to bring binoculars and layered clothing.
Since 1998, “The Backyard Bird Count has been an opportunity for citizen scientists around the world to contribute to the understanding of wild birds, their environment, and numbers,” said Betty Boyko, Superintendent, Fort Scott National Historic Site. “We encourage everyone to join us each month for additional bird walks and programs.” Watch for scheduled bird walks in the park throughout the year on Facebook or at the Fort Scott NHS Website www.nps.gov/fosc.
For more information about the Great Backyard Bird Count, contact Ranger Abby at Fort Scott National Historic Site by calling 620-223-0310.
Each checklist submitted during the GBBC helps researchers at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society learn more about how birds are doing, and how to protect them and the environment we share. Last year, more than 160,000 participants submitted their bird observations online, creating the largest instantaneous snapshot of global bird populations ever recorded. The results of these bird counts are available at https://gbbc.birdcount.org.
The Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site Inc. is taking new subscriptions and renewals for their Fly the Flag Project. The project provides homeowners and businesses, within the city limits of Fort Scott, the opportunity to fly the Stars and Stripes on five different flag holidays during 2020 without the hassle of purchasing, erecting, and storing a flag and pole. You don’t even have to remember the holiday!
For $35 annually, the Friends will install a 3’x5′ flag on a 12 foot staff at your home or business on each of the following Flag Holidays :
Memorial Day, May 25th
Flag Day, June 14th
Fourth of July, July 4th
Labor Day, September 7th
Veteran’s Day, November 11th
Agreements for new subscriptions can be obtained at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce or can be requested by phone or text by calling Kelley Collins at 417-684-2484. Renewals notices have been mailed/emailed to 2019 subscribers. Questions can be directed to Kelley or Martha Scott at 620-224-9924.
New agreements must be returned by March 2, 2020 to allow time for acquisition of supplies and placement of in ground flag holders.
All proceeds support programs at Fort Scott National Historic Site. These include: Symbols of Sacrifice, a Citizenship Ceremony, Candlelight Tour, Youth Engagement, and many others.
Show your patriotism and help our local National Park by lining the streets of Fort Scott with our nation’s symbol!
The Fly the Flag Project is a yearly project sponsored by the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site. Once signed up, you will receive the option to renew annually.
