The bike rack at Fort Scott National Historic Site.
Labors and Leisure on the Frontier
Labor Day Weekend at Fort Scott
Fort Scott Kan. – Saturday, September 3 through Monday, September 5, 2022, Fort Scott National Historic Site will take you on an exploration of the labors and leisure on an 1840s frontier post. Labor Day weekend activities include artillery demonstrations, 1840s baseball, candle making, breadmaking, construction skill demonstrations, historic yard games, and a variety of interpretive programs. Visit with soldiers, and an officer and his wife and find out about the labors of the fort and the leisure activities. All programs are free and open to the public.
Saturday, September 3, 2022
10:00 am – Guided Tour
11:00 am – Artillery Demonstration
Noon – Beam Me Up: Historic Construction Demonstration
1:00 pm – Guided Tour
2:00 pm – Artillery Demonstration
3:00 pm – Saws and Scalpels: Frontier Medical Program
Sunday, September 4, 2022
10:00 am – Guided Tour
11:00 am – Artillery Demonstration
Noon – Hitting Home: Baseball on the Frontier
1:00 pm – Guided Tour
2:00 pm – Artillery Demonstration
3:00 pm – Let the Games Begin: Historic Games Program
Monday, September 5, 2022
10:00 am – Guided Tour
11:00 am – Artillery Demonstration
Noon – Small Arms Drill (Children’s’ Program)
1:00 pm – From the Crack Post of the Frontier, Construction Tour of Fort Scott
2:00 pm – Artillery Demonstration
3:00 pm – Beam Me Up: Historic Construction Demonstration
From April 1-October 31, Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, is open for its summer hours of operation. The site exhibit areas and visitor center are open daily from 8 a.m. – 5 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.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, Old Fort Genealogical Society, and Historical Preservation Association of Bourbon County announce another carpool tour that will be on Saturday, August 13th at 8:30am. The format of the tour will be by carpool where attendees will provide their own transportation, stopping at the National Cemetery where the tour will be guided by local historians.
The tour on the 13th of August will be visiting the National Cemetery. Fort Scott National Cemetery was created during the Civil War and has continued to include all military since then. Local historians will walk you through the cemetery noting persons, telling reasons for memorial stones, and giving important information about the military campaigns our men and women were involved in while defending the United States and our allies. Volunteer Historians will include Ken Lyon, Brian Allen and Arnold Schofield.
The tour will leave The Old Fort Genealogical Society at 221 S. National Ave. (Memorial Hall) at 8:30 am and will finish by 10:30 am. The cost is only $5 per person and pre-registration is required on a first-come, first-serve basis. Those interested may register online at fortscott.com, click on Events, then Bourbon County Tour. A waiting list will be maintained if the tour reaches capacity. For questions or more information, contact the Old Fort Genealogical Society by calling 620-223-3300 or emailing [email protected].
Bourbon County Carpool Tour taking place Saturday, August 13th
National Cemetery
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, Old Fort Genealogical Society, and Historical Preservation Association of Bourbon County announce another carpool tour that will be on Saturday, August 13th at 8:30am. The format of the tour will be by carpool where attendees will provide their own transportation, stopping at the National Cemetery where the tour will be guided by local historians.
The tour on the 13th of August will be visiting the National Cemetery. Fort Scott National Cemetery was created during the Civil War and has continued to include all military since then. Local historians will walk you through the cemetery noting persons, telling reasons for memorial stones, and giving important information about the military campaigns our men and women were involved in while defending the United States and our allies. Volunteer Historians will include Ken Lyon, Brian Allen and Arnold Schofield.
The tour will leave The Old Fort Genealogical Society at 221 S. National Ave. (Memorial Hall) at 8:30 am and will finish by 10:30 am. The cost is only $5 per person and pre-registration is required on a first-come, first-serve basis. Those interested may register online at fortscott.com, click on Events, then Bourbon County Tour. A waiting list will be maintained if the tour reaches capacity. For questions or more information, contact the Old Fort Genealogical Society by calling 620-223-3300 or emailing [email protected].
Guerilla’s from Cow Creek, Crawford County, Kansas rode their horses to Marmiton, Bourbon County, Kansas for the sole purpose of payback. The guerrillas lost a battle early in the Civil War and wanted payback which was to get even with the soldiers who were returning home to their families. The guerillas snuck into town about midnight October 22, 1864 to kill the military men who embarrassed them. The result was the burning of a church, 2 stores and 2 homes but worst of all, the killing of 6 men of the community. The story of the raid and of Marmiton will be told by the current owner of the old site.
Thank you to our Chamber Champions listed below.
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Join Fort Scott NHS for the Sights and Sounds of American Independence this Holiday Weekend
Fort Scott Kan. – Celebrate American independence with the sounds of a military band, 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.
Fort Scott National Historic Site will host the 35th Division Infantry Band on Wednesday, June 29, beginning at 6:30 pm. The performance will be on the bricks in front of the Post Hospital/Visitor Center. Bring your lawn chair to ensure seating. Saturday through Monday, July 2 through 4, Fort Scott NHS will have artillery demonstrations, tours, programs, and living history activities throughout the day.
Wednesday, June 29
6:30 pm – 35th Division Infantry Band performing a kaleidoscope of pops, classical, and patriotic music.
Saturday, July 2
10:00 pm – Guided Tour of the Fort
11:00 am – Artillery Demonstration
Noon – Historic Yard Games
1:00 pm – Guided Tour of the Fort
2:00 pm – Artillery Demonstration
3:00 pm – Flash Flood: Fort Scott and Westward Expansion Discussion
Sunday, July 3
10:00 pm – Guided Tour of the Fort
11:00 am – Artillery Demonstration
Noon – Tales from the Trail: Santa Fe Trader Presentation
1:00 pm – Guided Tour of the Fort
2:00 pm – Artillery Demonstration
3:00 pm – Independence Day II: Fireworks at High Tide Discussion
Monday, July 4
10:00 pm – Guided Tour of the Fort
11:00 am – Artillery Demonstration
1:00 pm – Guided Tour of the Fort
2:00 pm – Artillery Demonstration
3:00 pm – Amputations and Ambulances: Civil War Medicine Discussion
Visitors and residents are reminded that fireworks are not permitted on the grounds of Fort Scott National Historic Site.
Carl Brenner stands in front of the entrance to the fort in this August 2018 photo.
In 2019, a group of representatives from Fort Scott National Historic Site, Gordon Parks Museum, Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, Fort Scott Community College, Bourbon County Historic Preservation Assn. and other partners, began work on a grant proposal.
The project title is Student Researched Unsung African American Heroes of Bourbon County.
The proposal idea came from Carl Brenner, who has been the Chief of Interpretation and Resource Management at FSNHS since 2018.
The idea for a grant proposal came “from the dark recesses of my mind,” Brenner said.
“The fort has told the stories of white (mostly male) people coming….but Native American, women and African American stories need to be brought into the story.” he said.
“This project is funded through the National Park Service to work with community youth to uncover those stories that are little known or untold or under told,” he said. “It is a partnership with the Park, the Gordon Park Museum, Fort Scott High School, and Fort Scott Community College.”
“Our historian, Dominic Henry, and other local volunteers, will assist students to research local African American leaders and those who fought for or ushered in change in our community and beyond,” Brenner said. “Once they have completed their research, they will create videos and social media posts to share their newly found stories in their own ‘voice’ to better connect with other youth.”
Those videos and social media posts will be shared on the park’s web and social media platforms and also shared by the Gordon Parks Museum, Fort Scott High School, and Fort Scott Community College.
“As the project is wrapping up, we will work with all of the partners to develop exhibits to share these stories and the student’s work with our visitors,” Brenner said.
“Through small stories like these, the hope is to have conversations about equality and equity and discuss the history and what we have learned from it,” Brenner said.
A kick-off for the project was planned for April 25, but due to unforeseen circumstances will need to be rescheduled, Brenner said.
Brenner is Acting Superintendent Since March
Brenner recently has been designated as the FSNHS Acting Superintendent, since former Superintendent Betty Boyko left in March 2022. He is also Acting Superintendent of Fort Larned National Historic Site and also providing guidance and training to Nicodemus National Historic Site.
Fort Scott National Historic Site Schedule of Annual Events
Civil War Encampment – April 23
Experience artillery, cavalry and infantry troops preparing for battle. Hear, see, and smell history come to life in a weekend of living history demonstrations and stories.
Symbols of Sacrifice – Memorial Day Weekend:
Approximately 7,000 flags commemorate the ultimate sacrifice members of the United States Armed Forces have made to keep this country free.
Good Ol’ Days – First Friday-Saturday of June:
Relive yesteryear in a town-wide celebration of Fort Scott’s history. Each year a different historical theme will be highlighted.
Independence Day Celebration – July 4th Weekend:
This holiday weekend feature talks, tours, demonstrations, and living history programs about Fort Scott’s role in pivotal events of American History in the place where they happened!
Labors of the Fort – Labor Day Weekend:
Learn about the jobs and tasks vital to the survival of the fort. Rangers and volunteers demonstrate skills and trades of the 1840’s.
Naturalization Ceremony – September 23:
Reflect on the privileges of US citizenship as you witness new citizens take the oath of allegiance to their newly ad- opted country.
Veterans Day Programs – Veteran’s Day Weekend:
Flags honoring our nation’s veterans will be on display and we will host discussions around service and the meaning of service.
Candlelight Tour – December 2-3:
1,000 candle lanterns illuminate the site as reenactors (including you) bring the fort to life. Ticket sales begin November 1st.
Fort Scott National Historic Site glows during the annual candlelight tour event.
Fort Scott Kan. – Students from Fort Scott High School and Fort Scott Community College will be researching the little known and under told stories of progressive African Americans and leaders from the Fort Scott area.
Students will create audio recordings or videos to share these stories in their ‘voices’ through social media and short films hosted by the National Park Service, Gordon Parks Museum, and their schools.
Exhibits will be developed from their work.
The public is invited to the kickoff for this project on Monday, April 25, at the Ellis Fine Arts Center theater on the Fort Scott Community College campus at 10 a.m.
There will be a presentation by Robin Hickman Winfield, the great niece of Gordon Parks, and Eli Reed, an award-winning photographer, photojournalist, author, and the 2021 Choice of Weapons Award Recipient.
This project will continue through the end of the fall semester with the final media products and presentations.
Fort Scott Kan. – Fort Scott National Historic Site is hosting its 39th Annual Civil War Encampment, April 23 and 24, 2022. Join us for cooking on the open fire, experience artillery and infantry troops preparing for battle, smell bread baking, participate in discussions about troop and refugee support, step back in times while playing period games, and try writing with quills and ink! This event is a well-loved tradition that is back and better than ever!
Acting superintendent Carl Brenner welcomes the community to the Fort to experience life as it really was. “We are grateful to have the generous support and participation from the Holms Brigade, Wichita Boy Scout Troop 704, Friends of Fort Scott, Inc., and plenty of new and old Fort Scott National Historic Site volunteers alike,” said Acting Superintendent Carl Brenner. “We encourage everyone to step back in time and smell, hear, see, and experience life at the fort.”
Park volunteers and staff will be leading a variety of programs. Both days will consist of several artillery and infantry demonstrations and tours of the fort. Saturday: join the discussion around the importance of the Lunette Blair Block House (adjacent to the park on Skubitz Plaza), find out about the lives of women during the Civil War period with the Ladies Union Aid, a cooking demonstration outside our mess hall and baking bread in the bakery. Sunday: begin the day aa authentic 1840s church service, play authentic lawn games, and participate in a discussion about being a Civil War refugee. The day is full of fun and games for the whole family straight from the 1800’s!
Encampment Schedule:
SATURDAY, APRIL 23
Interpreters will be at the firing range with historic weapons, and in the bakehouse doing demonstrations throughout the day
9 a.m. Raising the Colors with the Boy Scout troop 704 of Wichita, KS
10 a.m. Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration
10-11 a.m. Calvary Discussion
10-11 a.m. Guided Tour of the Fort
11-12 p.m. 19th Century Writing
11 a.m. Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration
11:30-1:30 p.m. Cooking Demonstration
Noon Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration
12:30 p.m. Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration
1 p.m. Guided Tour of the Fort
1:30-2 p.m. Lunette Blair Block House Program
2 p.m. Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration
2:30-3:30 p.m. Ladies Union Aid Demonstrations and Dialogue
3 p.m. Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration
4 p.m. Flag Retreat with Troop 704
SUNDAY, APRIL 24
Interpreters will be at the firing range with historic weapons throughout the day
9 a.m. Raising the Colors
10 a.m. Historic Church Service
11 a.m. Infantry Dress Parade, Drill, and Weapons Demonstration
11-2 p.m. Historic Lawn games
11:30-12:30 p.m. Cavalry Discussion
Noon Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration
1 p.m. Guided Tour of the Fort
2-2:30 p.m. Life as a Refugee Dialogue
2:30 p.m. Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration
3 p.m. Lunette Blair Block House Program
3:30 p.m. Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration
You are always welcome to wear a mask, and please remember to keep safe distances, wash your hands, and have fun!
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 and visitor center are open daily from 8 a.m. – 5 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.
Kirk Sharp is the director of the Gordon Parks Museum on the campus of Fort Scott Community College. Submitted photo
The Gordon Parks Museum has become a part of a National Humanities Alliance Foundation’s initiative, Fort Scott’s Gordon Parks Museum Director Kirk Sharp told the Chamber members attending last week’s coffee.
The National Humanities Alliance (NHA) is a nationwide coalition of organizations advocating for the humanities on campuses, in communities, and in Washington D.C., which was founded in 1981.
“We received word on January 10th that The Learning Tree Film Scene and Sign Trail is being considered to be selected and would make a compelling profile on the NEH for All (NHA’s initiative) website,” Sharp said in an interview with fortscott.biz. “Further discussion soon followed.”
“This means everything to the museum, as this is an excellent opportunity to help further our outreach of this project nationwide and to keep the legacy of The Learning Tree film and Gordon Parks alive,” Sharp said. “This will also help tremendously to bring more visitors from across the nation, to not only to visit the trail and the Gordon Parks Museum but to spend time in Fort Scott and possibly visit other great attractions within our community.”
“The Learning Tree Film Scene and Sign Trail project is just one of six profiles selected in the state of Kansas and is one of the 260 profiles thus far, selected nationwide, that the (organization) spotlights as exemplary projects,” he said. “We are very honored, thankful, and thrilled that the National Humanities Alliance Foundation selected our Learning Tree Film Scene and Sign Trail as one of the spotlight projects across the nation.”
“With funding from Humanities Kansas, the state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Gordon Parks Museum set out in 2019 to create The Learning Tree Film Scene and Sign Trail. Based on Gordon Parks’ semi-autobiographical novel about growing up in Fort Scott, The Learning Tree was also the first major motion picture directed by an African American. This historic sign trail celebrates Parks and commemorates the filming of The Learning Tree in the city,” according to the website.
Adger Cowans and William C. Rhoden will be the recipients of the “Gordon Parks Choice of Weapons Award” at the annual celebration October 6th -8th, 2022 in Fort Scott, Kansas. The celebration is in honor Fort Scott native Gordon Parks, noted photographer, writer, musician, and filmmaker. The Choice of Weapons Award was established in Parks’ honor to be given annually at the Celebration. More detailed information about the annual celebration will be coming soon with a full press release.
Adger Cowans, a fine arts photographer and abstract expressionist painter, has experimented with a myriad of mediums over his artistic career. Renowned in the world of photography and fine art, his works have been shown by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, International Museum of Photography, Museum of Modern Art, The Studio Museum of Harlem, The Cleveland Museum of Art, Harvard Fine Art Museum, Detroit Art Institute, James E. Lewis Museum and numerous other art institutions.
After attending Ohio University where he received a BFA in photography, Cowans furthered his education at the School of Motion Picture Arts and School of Visual Arts in New York. While serving in the United States Navy, he worked as a photographer before moving to New York, where he later worked with Life magazine photographer Gordon Parks and fashion photographer Henri Clarke.
Cowans was awarded the Lorenzo il Magnifico alla Carriera in recognition of a Distinguished Career at the 2001 Florence Biennale of Contemporary Art. He is the recipient of a John Hay Whitney Fellowship and the Martin Luther King, Jr., Caesar Chavez, Rosa Parks Visiting Scholars Award, Wayne State University. At his first one man show at the Heliography Gallery in New York, Jacob Deschin of the New York Times described Cowans’ work as “Boldly inventive and experimental…and the artist is a craftsman to his fingertips.”
William C. Rhoden, is an award-winning national sports writer and visiting professional at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Rhoden is one of the most accomplished sports journalists of his generation and is regarded as an expert on the topics of sports and race. He is currently a columnist and editor-at-large at Andscape, ESPN’s digital platform that explores the intersection of race, culture and sports.
In collaboration with Andscape formerly (The Undefeated), ESPN, and The Walt Disney Company, he has established the Rhoden Fellows Initiative, which identifies and trains aspiring African-American journalists from historically black colleges and universities. At the Cronkite School, Rhoden serves as a visiting professional and teaches “Opinion in the Digital Age,” which introduces students to the art of crafting and forming thoughtful opinion pieces for all existing platforms. In addition, he also is a visiting senior practitioner for the Global Sport Institute, where he provides feedback on the institute’s strategic direction and helps develop concepts for the Global Sport Matters content hub.
Rhoden rose to prominence at The New York Times, where he published his award-winning “Sports of the Times” column for 26 years and established himself as one of the top sports columnists in the country.
The veteran journalist has received numerous career honors. In 2021, the National Sports Media Association inducted Rhoden’s into its Hall of Fame in. In 2018, he was inducted to the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Hall of Fame for contributions to journalism and the Black community.
He won a Peabody Award in 1996 as a writer for HBO’s documentary “Journey of the African American Athlete” and earned an Emmy Award for his writing on the documentary “Breaking the Huddle: The Integration of College Football.” Rhoden is an accomplished author who published “Forty Million Dollar Slaves” in 2006 and “Third and a Mile: The Trials and Triumphs of The Black Quarterback” in 2007. He was also presented with the 2017 Sam Lacy-Wendell Smith Award by the Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism at the University of Maryland Philip Merrill College of Journalism for contributions to racial and gender equality in sports.
Ticket information and the full schedule will be posted at a later date on the website gordonparkscenter.org.
