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Category Archives: History
Pioneer Harvest Fiesta Begins Sept. 29
Mark your calendars for Pioneer Harvest Fiesta. The 66th Anniversary Show will soon be here! The Pioneer Harvest Fiesta is one of the oldest tractor and gas engine show in the area.
Plans are made for this to be a great event this year. The downtown parade on September 29 will be the kickoff for the show. Friday, September 30 will begin the 3 day show with lots of exhibits and vendors on the Bourbon County Fairgrounds. Come and see how things were done in the “olden days”. Purchasing a $5 show button will give you entry to all 3 days plus a bean feed on Friday evening.
In addition to the flea market and tractor and gas engine exhibits, you can watch the sawmill operation, oat threshing, hay baling tractor pull and more. Ralph Carlson’s entertainment tent will present talented musicians for you to enjoy. The Sunday morning Church service will be in the entertainment tent also. All are welcome. Be sure and stop by the Information tent. There will be 2022 T-Shirts and caps and other items for you to purchase.
In addition to the Friday evening bean feed, biscuits and gravy will be available in the mornings, also old fashion sorghum cookies. Pulled pork sandwiches, chicken noodle dinners, sloppy joes, hot dogs. nachos and more will be served by food vendors.
Don’t forget the quilt show in the Myers Building. Quilts can be entered Thursday, September 29, 10am – Noon. The quilt show will be open Friday and Saturday, 9am – 4pm. Sunday will be open noon to 3pm. Contact Jackie Warren for more information, 620-224-8161.
There is an additional event on the fairgrounds the evening of October 1 in the arena. There will be a Mutton Bustin’ event with bull riding afterwards. Sign up for the Mutton Bustin’ is 6:30pm.
If anyone would like to volunteer to help with any of the exhibits or perhaps help at the quilt show, we would be happy to have you. Please contact a member or call one of the numbers listed.
Thank you goes out to all our corporate sponsors. Without these sponsors there would not be a Pioneer Harvest Fiesta. If you have not received a flyer in the mail or picked one up at a local business, contact a member and we will make one available for you. Craig Shikles, 417-425-4552, is our president with Larry Richard, 620-724-6501, as vice-president.
Gordon Parks Celebration Schedule of Events, Oct. 6-8
2022 Gordon Parks Celebration – Schedule of Events
Thursday, October 6th
PHOTO EXHIBIT – In the Lunt Lobby of the Fine Arts Center. The photo contest sponsored by Merl Humphrey Photography will be on display with the theme of “I Am Driven By”. Winners will be announced at the Chamber Coffee, 8 a.m.
PHOTO EXHIBIT – In the Gordon Parks Museum and Lobby of the Fine Arts Center. The Gordon Parks Mercy Foundation Collection, with some of Gordon’s photos and poems.
SIGN DISPLAY & MURAL DISPLAY – Visit the Lowell Milken Center Unsung Heroes Park, 1 S. Main St., Gordon Parks is one of the featured signs. View also the mural of Gordon Parks, by local artist Stephen Toal, at Riverfront Park, 400 N. National.
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. – Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee at the Gordon Parks Museum. FREE.
9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Showing of the film Criterion Collection The Learning Tree in FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium. FREE.
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Registration open outside of Museum.
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. – (Lunch and Learn) “In the Shadow of Obscurity: Tolling in a Reluctant Society” Arif Khatib, Filmmaker, Author, and
Founder/President at the Multi-Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame. Arif will present his book that not only tells the stories of many of our great
sports figures in history, but also addresses their pain on the road to greatness. “It is a must read” to understand why we must stay focused and make this society understand that we must all commit to a just society and make things better for generations to come. FREE to Attend.
Chicken Caesar & Club wrap lunches are available in the lobby ($8-purchase that day) or bring your own lunch and join us. Dessert and
drinks also available in the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. FREE.
1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. – Guided Trolley Tour of Gordon Parks’ Fort Scott & The Learning Tree Film Scene Locations. Meet at the entrance of the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. See the places in Fort Scott that are part of Gordon Parks’ history. Fee: $7.
3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Showing of the film Leadbelly in the Gordon Parks Museum. FREE.
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – “Fort Scott Book Club Presentation,” “A Choice of Weapons Revisited”, Hosted by Park Rangers from Fort Scott
National Historic Site. (Social Hour starts at 5:30 p.m. Wine and Refreshments). FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. FREE.
7:00 p.m. – “Photography Techniques: Jim Richardson on Gordon Parks Photos” National Geographic Magazine Photographer Jim
Richardson will discuss and explore the photographic techniques Parks used to create his signature images, which reflect the documentary esthetic of LIFE magazine in its heyday era. This freewheeling discussion will honor Parks as a master technician, part of his huge talent that is often neglected. Gordon Parks made iconic photographs (Social Hour starts at 5:30 p.m. Wine and Refreshments) FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium. FREE.
Friday, October 7th
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Registration open outside of Museum.
9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m. – “Video Production Seminar: Fort Scott African American Experience Grant Project” This video seminar/presentation will show and discuss what video and movie making is about and how to find inspiration and some insight of the technical aspects. Students will then be creating videos and social media posts of their findings or to tell the stories they uncover. This is open to the community to attend.
This is part of a grant project collaboration with the Fort Scott National Historic Site where H.S. & college students from the Fort Scott area will conduct research of unsung African Americans or events they are associated with from the Fort Scott area. Moderated by Carl Brenner, Project Grant Director & Acting Superintendent at the Fort Scott National Historic Site, with featured panelist; David Parks, photographer, filmmaker, author, and son of Gordon Parks, Robin Hickman-Winfield, Executive Producer of SoulTouch Productions and great-niece of Gordon Parks, along with Eli Reed, acclaimed photographer and author. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center Theater. This project is funded by a federal grant. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium. FREE.
10:05 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – “A Conversation with Choice of Weapon Honorees.” The 2022 “Choice of Weapons Award” honorees, Adger
Cowans, and William C. Rhoden. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium. FREE.
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. – (Lunch and Learn Event) “Gordon Parks and Kansas: New Open Access Digital Resources” Aileen June Wang,
Curator, and Sarah Price, Collections Manager, at the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art along with Katherine Karlin, Professor, English Department, Kansas State University will introduce new findings about Gordon Parks from their research for a virtual exhibition of Gordon Parks photographs, an open access digital exhibition catalog, and the website The Learning Tree: A Gordon Parks Digital Archive. FREE to Attend. Sack lunches are available in the lobby ($8-purchase that day) or bring your own lunch and join us. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium. FREE.
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – (Lunch and Learn Event) “I Needed Paris Project Update” with Michael Cheers, Associate Professor,
Photojournalism, School of Journalism and Mass Communications, San Jose State University. This will be an update on the “I Needed Paris” project that will take a group of diverse American student photographers through Paris, traversing the same streets and neighborhoods as Gordon Parks, when he worked in the Paris Bureau of Life magazine 1949-1951. This session reimagines Gordon’s iconic fashion, portrait, and documentary photo essay work. The session peeks inside some of the book chapters – portraits of African American expats, trendy black fashion designers, and an intimate look at the homeless, migrant, and refugee communities – that will be published to document this project in 2023. FREE to Attend. Sack lunches are available in the lobby ($8-purchase that day) or bring your own lunch and join us. FSCC Ellis Fine
Arts Center/Auditorium. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium. FREE.
1:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – “Choice of Weapon Honorees Presentation” The 2022 “Choice of Weapons Award” honorees, Adger Cowans and
William C. Rhoden, will each share their perspective works in photography, art, books, videos, etc…. Adger Cowans, Photographer, Author, painter will present some of his photography. Mr. Cowans will show photos from his personal collection and of Gordon Parks, who was a longtime friend. William C. Rhoden, Documentary Award winning sports columnist and author for the New York Times, Author of Forty Million Dollars Slaves, and a writer at large for Andscape, will share some of his video stories, columns, and information from his books. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. FREE.
Schedule subject to change. Please check at www.gordonparkscenter.org for any updates
3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Film Screening Presentation: “Presence of Absence: Gordon Parks Through an Empathic Lens” Multimedia artist, Andrew F. Scott will present his video with Six-time Grammy winner Terence Blanchard and the E-Collective in Concert, and will discuss the process of putting this project together and creating it with Professor Matthew Gainer, Professor of Graphic Design, Department of Art at Kansas State University along with his students. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Gordon Parks Museum. FREE.
7:30 p.m. – “Hot Jazz & R&B” (Social Hour at 6:30 p.m.) Featuring, Paula Sanders & Derick Cunigan, Multi-talented Jazz & R&B Vocalists, performing the very best in Jazz & R&B. Cash bar available. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center, 2108 S. Horton St. Fee: $25.00. Reserve Tickets by Wed, Oct, 5.
Saturday, October 8th
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Registration open outside of Museum.
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Panel Discussion “Taking the Shot” Join us for a panel discussion on photography and how to take or create great
photographic images. Some discussion will include: techniques, lighting, depth, inspiration, and impact. Moderated by John Mason,
Associate Professor, University of Virginia Department of History with featured panelist; Adger Cowans, 2022 Choice of Weapons Honoree, Michael Cheers, Associate Professor, San Jose State University, Eli Reed, Photographer & 2021 Choice of Weapons Honoree, Veretta Cobler,
Photographer, and Don Thompson, Photographer. Coffee, water, juice, and light refreshments will be available. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts
Center/Gordon Parks Museum. FREE.
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 p.m. – “Open Mic Poetry” This open mic is for any poets, rappers, musicians, or artists of all ages to read their work. Bring your friends, your poetry, your instruments, your beats, your inspirations, your creativity, and your talent! No sign-up necessary, just hop on the mic when you’re ready! Hosted by poet, Barbara L. Eikner. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Gordon Parks Museum. FREE.
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – (Lunch and Learn Event) “Buffalo Soldiers Presentation” The Alexander/Madison Chapter – Greater Kansas
City/Leavenworth Area 9th & 10th (Horse) Cavalry Association will be in full authentic Buffalo Soldier uniforms. The troopers will provide a moving presentation on the great legacy and rich background of the historic Buffalo Soldiers from the years 1866 to 1944. Original Buffalo Soldier artifacts will be on display during the presentation. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Gordon Parks Museum. FREE “BBQ on the Patio”
Come and join us for some great barbeque, potato salad, chips, drinks, etc. Sponsored by Dunks BBQ. (Visitors may bring their own lunch.)
Drinks will be provided. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. FREE.
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – “Film Screening Presentation: Many Fires This Time: We the 100 Million” This is an award-winning documentary film that received the Gordon Parks Black Film Excellence Honorable Mention Award (2021) at the Tallgrass Film Festival in Wichita, KS. Directed by Jason R.A. Foster, and produced by Michael “Quess?” Moore and Jeremy Liu, Many Fires This Time: We the 100 Million is a poetic documentary about the 1 in 3 Americans and counting, living in economic insecurity. FREE.
2:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Guided Trolley Tour of Gordon Parks’ Fort Scott & The Learning Tree Film Scene Locations. Meet at the entrance of the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. See the places in Fort Scott that are part of Gordon Parks’ history. Fee: $7.
7:00 p.m. – “Celebration Tribute Dinner” (Social Hour starts at 6:00 p.m.) Join us for an evening of celebration and dinner, with music,
tribute, and presentation of the 2022 “Gordon Parks Choice of Weapons Award” to Adger Cowans and William C. Rhoden. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. 2108 S. Horton St. All seats reserved. Fee: $30.00. (Reserve by Wed, Oct. 5)
Sunday, October 9th
9:00 a.m. – Breakfast at Crooner’s Lounge. Enjoy a breakfast buffet at one of Fort Scott’s finest! Located at 117 S. Main Street, Downtown Fort Scott. You are sure to find something on the buffet that will please your appetite. Check it out at: fscrooners.com.
(No ticket required-everyone pays for their own)
TICKET PURCHASE FOR THE 2022 CELEBRATION:
Friday, October 7th Hot Jazz and R&B – Reserve Only. (all other tickets may be purchased on site). Please reserve by Wed., Oct. 5th
Questions? Call us at 620.223.2700 ext. 5850
email: [email protected]
Gordon Parks Museum
2108 S. Horton St. Fort Scott, KS 66701
Or register online at:
www.gordonparkscenter.org
Saturday, October 8th BBQ on the Patio – Reservation Only. (all other tickets may be purchased on site). Please reserve by Fri., Oct. 7th
Saturday, October 8th Tribute Dinner – Reservation Only. (all other tickets may be purchased on site). Please reserve by Wed., Oct. 5th
(Lunch & Learn) Friday “Exhibition Catalog/E-book: Homeward to the Prairie I come.” ______tickets at $8 each for a total of $_______.
(Lunch & Learn) Thursday “In the Shadow of Obscurity: Tolling in a Reluctant Society.” ______tickets at $8 each for a total of $_______.
Name, Address: ___________________________________________________________________________
Phone Number & Email: ____________________________________________________________________
___________ CHECK ENCLOSED payable to the Gordon Parks Museum
Hot Jazz R&B Friday ______tickets at $25 each for a total of $_______.
BBQ on the Patio Saturday ______ FREE Tickets.
Celebration Tribute Dinner Saturday ______tickets at $30 each for a total of $_______.
Total Registration Cost…………………….$_________.
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Lowell Milken Center Celebrates New Park and 15th Anniversary
RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY HONORS GRAND OPENING OF LOWELL MILKEN CENTER’S NEW PARK AS PART OF 15TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Event marks both official Grand Opening of a new LMC Park and commemoration of the 15th Anniversary of the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes
On September 12, the official Grand Opening—including VIP speeches, a surprise award presentation, and a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony—welcomed 200 guests to a new park and outdoor exhibit space in the heart of the historic downtown district of Fort Scott, KS. The event was a fitting accompaniment to the 15th Anniversary celebration of the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes (LMC).
The festivities began at 10 a.m. on September 12 with a special ceremony recognizing honored guests who traveled from across the country to attend. This included 24 teachers who had earned the distinction of being LMC Fellows, several living Unsung Heroes and their family members, longtime patrons of LMC and the many individuals who have played key roles in the support and development of the park. Special appreciation was given for the park’s major donor, the Lowell Milken Family Foundation, and for generous grants from the Sunderland Foundation and Timken Foundation. “As we enter this new era, the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes continues to stand as a testament to the power of Unsung Heroes to change the world through project-based learning,” said LMC Chief Executive Officer Norm Conard.
In construction since June of last year, the LMC park is now a vibrant and much-anticipated expansion of LMC. The park features outdoor Unsung Hero exhibits with interactive story rails, a walking trail, an enhanced water feature, and beautiful landscaping with bench seating for guests to enjoy. The park provides a community space where visitors to the museum and Fort Scott residents alike can enjoy the tranquil scenery, learn about the Unsung Heroes profiled in the story rails, and gather for community programs and activities in partnership with other business in the downtown area.
Highlights of the Grand Opening event included reflections from LMC Founder Lowell Milken. “I believe that a center for Unsung Heroes could only have been borne out of a community that deeply values history, excellence and education,” he said. “Fifteen years later we can all take pride in knowing that educators, communities and students experience the powerful combination that can occur when history merged with project-based learning leads to the discovery of change-makers.”
Also speaking during the event were Chief Executive Officer Norm Conard and Program Director Megan Felt, who have been instrumental in LMC since its earliest beginnings. Remarks were also made by longtime supporters of LMC, such as Former Executive Director of the National Teachers’ Hall of Fame Carol Strickland, LMC Park Committee Chair Beth Nuss and Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Director Lindsay Madison. A surprise announcement capped off the special occasion when attendee Gracie Conrad, a high school student from Taylor, Nebraska, learned that she was the $6,000 Grand Prize recipient in the 2022 Discovery Award competition for her powerful documentary about Holocaust Unsung Hero Betty Goudsmit-Oudkerk. Conrad’s documentary explores the courage and tenacity required for Goudsmit-Oudkerk to leverage her position as a daycare nurse in the Netherlands to help save more than 600 children from the Nazis.
Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony, guests were invited inside LMC’s Hall of Unsung Heroes museum to partake in its exhibits, enjoy light refreshments and view several presentations by educators who have participated in the LMC fellowship program. Guests also had the unique opportunity during these presentations to meet the living Unsung Heroes or their immediate families who were in attendance, such as Carl Wilkens, an Unsung Hero of the Rwandan genocide; family members of Unsung Hero Chester Nez, one of WWII’s “First Twenty-Nine” Navajo Code Talkers; the family of Unsung Hero Andrew Jackson Higgins, who invented the Higgins boats used in amphibious landings in WWII and was credited by President Eisenhower as the “man who won the war”; and the family of Unsung Hero Gene Shoemaker, a pioneer in astrogeology and the only person whose ashes are buried on the moon.
The 15th Anniversary celebration will culminate in a Community Open House hosted by LMC on Tuesday, September 13, between 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., welcoming everyone to this exciting new addition to LMC and the greater Fort Scott community. LMC is located at 1 South Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701.
For more information visit the LMC online newsroom.
About LMC
Established in 2007, the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes (LMC) discovers, develops and communicates the stories of unsung heroes who have made a profound and positive impact on history, yet are largely unrecognized by contemporary generations. LMC has reached over 3,000,000 students and 30,000 schools in all 50 states and countries around the world. Learn more about the LMC and the Discovery Award. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
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Gordon Parks Celebration Oct. 6-8
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Carpool History Tour of Bourbon County Continues Sept. 10
Bourbon County Carpool Tour is Saturday, September 10:
Miracle Mile of Barnesville, Fort Lincoln, Freedom Colony and Guthrie’s Mound
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, September 10th at 8:30am. The format of the tour will be by carpool where attendees provide their own transportation, depart together from the Old Fort Genealogical Library, and stop at designated locations of the tour to learn historical facts of Bourbon County by local historians.
During the tour on the 10th of September, hear the story of the Civil War Veterans who are buried at Barnesville Cemetery and the action in the surrounding area. Drive the Miracle Mile (MILITARY ROAD) north of Barnesville and experience it as it was during the Civil War. Stop at Fort Lincoln and hear the story of the fort and the Little Osage River below the bridge. Travel on to the Freedom Colony and LEARN how they could have changed Bourbon County into the first Boeing Air facility. Finally, meet at the Mapleton Park to hear about Guthrie’s Mound and the history of Mapleton.
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. For questions or more information, contact the Old Fort Genealogical Society by calling 620-223-3300 or emailing [email protected].
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Labors and Leisure on the Frontier: Ft. Scott National Historic Site Sept. 3-5
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.
Bourbon County History Tour August 13
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History of Fort Scott National Cemetery Tour on Aug. 13
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].
Marmaton River Massacre-Payback History Tour
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Independence Day Celebrations at the Fort
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.
-NPS-
Credit Photo as: NPS Photo, W. Aker
Brenner: Other Stories Need To Be Told
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.
The park phone number is 620-223-0310, its website https://www.nps.gov/fosc/index.htm
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.
