The Fort Scott National Historic Site Quartermasters Complex. Submitted photo.
Time Travel at the Tap of a Finger
Fort Scott, Kan. – Travel back in time using just your phone, the NPS App, and the tap of a finger.
Beginning Friday, May 23, 2025, Fort Scott National Historic Site is proud to pilot the first-ever augmented reality (AR) experience of digitally reconstructing historic structures in a national park through the NPS App.
At the heart of this immersive journey is the Quartermaster’s Complex—once the pulse of the fort. In partnership with GuideOne Mobile, the park has brought these vital support structures back to life through AR. Explore the quadrangle as it existed nearly two centuries ago. Hear the sounds of daily operations and uncover the often-overlooked stories of the people and processes that kept the fort running. Each virtual building reveals a new layer of history and purpose.
This is the first in a series of AR experiences planned at the national park.
Discover Fort Scott Like Never Before—Through the power of technology and the NPS App! The official NPS App, available for iOS and Android, offers an immersive way to experience the park—whether you’re on-site, exploring from home, or almost anywhere around the world.
Get Started:
Download the NPS App from the App Store or Google Play. Visit the park’s mobile app page for links and more info: www.nps.gov/fosc/learn/photosmultimedia/mobileapp.htm. Open the app and tap the Fort Scott Quartermaster Complex image to begin your journey.
On-Site Visitors: Start your exploration at the Quartermaster Complex display panel to see the buildings in their original locations.
Exploring from Afar? Select “Place Manually” in the app to begin a virtual visit of Fort Scott.
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.
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Credit Photo as: NPS Photo, Augmented Reality view of the Quartermaster Complex.
As America approaches the 250th anniversary in 2026 of the ratification of our Declaration of Independence, the local Molly Foster Berry Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is planning activities to commemorate this significant anniversary. The first event will be a free genealogy workshop on Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 10:00 to 2:00 at the Fort Scott Community College Library in Bailey Hall, 2108 South Horton, Fort Scott, Kansas.
A visiting team of genealogists from the Kansas Society of Daughters of the American Revolution will be at the workshop to present and assist attendees with researching their family history. “If you have ever wondered if you have an ancestor who contributed to American independence, either by serving as a soldier or by providing civilian assistance to the war effort, this is your opportunity to get help with research,” chapter Regent Barbara Ritter stated.
Attendees are requested to pre-register by contacting either Barbara Ritter (913-636-4892, [email protected]) or Jean Strader (620-778-0266, [email protected]). Please RSVP by May 14, 2025. Anyone who is interested in DAR but is unable to attend the workshop, please contact Barbara Ritter. There is no charge for the workshop.
Upon pre-registration, attendees will be emailed a generation chart to be filled out and brought to the workshop. The chart covers three generations (yourself as the first generation, your birth parents as the second, and your great-grandparents as the third). Information needed includes full names, birth dates and places, marriage dates and places, and death dates and places, or as much of that information is available to you for all three generations. If attendees have information on any earlier generations, they are encouraged to also bring that to the workshop.
Any woman 18 years or older may join DAR by documenting her lineage to an ancestor, male or female, who aided in the cause of American independence through military, civil, or patriotic service. Founded in 1890, the DAR is one of the largest women’s lineage based, nonpartisan, and patriotic nonprofits in the world, with 185,000 current members and approximately 3,000 local chapters. The DAR mission encompasses three key areas: historic preservation, education, and patriotism.
Fort Scott, Kan. – Fort Scott National Historic Site is hosting its Annual Civil War Encampment, April 12 and 13, 2025. Join us each day to experience cavalry and infantry troops drilling, preparing for battle, and sharing stories of life during the Civil War. Talk to a blacksmith as he brings raw metal to life with his hammer, learn the process of crafting lead musket balls, and speak with volunteers portraying some of the women who provided support to the troops and operations during the Civil War.
Long-time volunteer Michelle Martin will share the incredible Civil War experience of Emma Caroline Morely. Emma helped the women of Fort Scott care for the sick and wounded in the aftermath of the Battle of Mine Creek. Emma’s diminutive diary provides us with incredible information and insight about the roles of women and communities during times of war. Long-time volunteer Jan Elder will share stories about the many women who participated in battles during the Civil War in “They Fought like Demons.” Listen to roving minstrels, learn about Civil War medicine and candle making, and participate in discussions about artillery of the times. Bring the family or friends and challenge them to a tug-o-war and other play historic lawn games. Saturday evening the Friends of Fort Scott is hosting a Civil War-era camp dance. The weekend is full of fun for the whole family straight from the 1800’s!
Encampment Program Schedule:
SATURDAY, APRIL 12
Interpreters will be around the site throughout the day.
9:30 a.m. Raising the Colors (Garrison Flagpole)
10 a.m. Ranger Guided Tour of the Fort (Meet at Visitor Center)
10:30 a.m. “They Fought Like Demons”: Women Soldiers in the Civil War (Hospital Porch)
3:30 p.m. Mustering Out (Near Quartermaster’s Storehouse)
4:30 p.m. Flag Retreat with Infantry (Garrison Flagpole)
Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, exhibit areas and visitor center are currently open Friday through Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Park grounds are open daily from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.
Dust off your dancing shoes and mark your calendar for the Civil War Camp Dance this Saturday, April 12. The fun filled evening, hosted by the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site Inc., is being held at Memorial Hall 1 East 3rd Street in Fort Scott and will feature 19th century music, Victorian dance instruction and light refreshments. Doors open at 6:00 pm with dancing to begin at 7:00 pm. Admission is $15 per person or $25 per couple. Period dress is encouraged but not required.
Dancing was a favorite form of entertainment during the Victorian era (1840s-1890s) and especially during the Civil War as it offered respite from the worries and horrors of a war that affected the entire nation. Come find some respite from your own busy schedule as you are transported to times past. All ages are welcome and no prior dance experience is necessary to enjoy the evening.
This event is being offered in conjunction with Fort Scott National Historic Site’s (FSNHS) Civil War Encampment. For more information concerning FSNHS’s Civil War Encampment go www.nps.gov/fosc.
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.
Presentation Explores the History of Baseball in Kansas
Rescheduled Due to Forecasted Weather
Fort Scott, Kan. With the potential winter storm that is forecasted for this Wednesday, Feb 12, the Gordon Parks Museum hosted event “The Kansas City Monarchs and America’s National Pastime,” a presentation and discussion by Phil Dixon is rescheduled to Friday, February 14, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. at The Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center at 2108 S. Horton St. Members of the community are invited to attend the free program. Contact the Gordon Parks Museum at 620-223-2700 ext. 5850 for more information. The program is made possible by Humanities Kansas.
This is a free Lunch and Learn event, with desserts provided by Great West Dining. Drinks and chips will also be provided. Fort Scott T-Mobile will also have a table set up for free raffle drawing for a chance for the attendees to win T-Mobile prizes.
“Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend this presentation event to learn more about the Kansas City Monarchs” said Museum Director, Kirk Sharp.
2020 marked two major milestones for baseball: the Negro Leagues celebrated their 100th anniversary and Major League Baseball merged statistics of these African American players with those of the major league. The history of Negro League baseball in America mirrors the racial strife experienced by African Americans in society. It was plagued by discrimination, racism, and inequity, while its athletes were celebrated for their resiliency, professionalism, and athleticism. The Kansas City Monarchs barnstormed across Kansas and the region to play more than 400 games between 1920 and 1957 against local towns. This talk sheds new light on this sports history and the history of baseball in Kansas.
Phil S. Dixon a co-founder of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City. He is the author of nine books about baseball, including biographies about Wilber “Bullet” Rogan and John “Buck” O’Neil. In the course of his research, he has interviewed over 500 former Negro League players and family members.
“The Kansas City Monarchs and America’s National Pastime” is part of Humanities Kansas’s Speakers Bureau, featuring humanities-based presentations designed to share stories that inspire, spark conversations that inform, and generate insights that strengthen civic engagement.
For more information about “The Kansas City Monarchs and America’s National Pastime” in Fort Scott, Kansas, contact the Gordon Parks Museum at 620-223-2700 ext.5850 or visit gordonparkscenter.org.
About Humanities Kansas
Humanities Kansas is an independent nonprofit leading a movement of ideas to empower the people of Kansas to strengthen their communities and our democracy. Since 1972, our pioneering programming, grants, and partnerships have documented and shared stories to spark conversations and generate insights. Together with our partners and supporters, we inspire all Kansans to draw on history, literature, ethics, and culture to enrich their lives and serve the communities and state we all proudly call home. Visit humanitieskansas.org.
Unsung Heroes from top left to bottom right: Elizabeth Jennings Graham, Vivien Thomas, Autherine Lucy Foster, Lt. James Reese Europe, Claudette Colvin, and Olaudah Equiano.
ARTEFFECT JOINS IN CELEBRATING
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
ARTEFFECT celebrates Black History Month by spotlighting these remarkable individuals listed below. From pioneers in civil rights and education to trailblazers in science, the arts, and beyond, these Unsung Heroes have made a positive and lasting impact on history. Learn about their stories below:
Through ARTEFFECT, educators and their students are invited to consider and creatively interpret the stories of Unsung Heroes through visual artworks and written impact statements. See the full list of LMC Unsung Heroes here, or download a printable directory below:
2025 Competition – Digital Poster – Classroom Resource –
The 2025 ARTEFFECT competition, open through April 27, 2025, invites submissions from students worldwide in grades 6-12 interested in making a positive social impact through their art. Students choose Unsung Heroes from the pre-approved list, and celebrate their stories through their ARTEFFECT projects. Various 2D & 3D mediums are eligible with multiple prize categories. Download the digital poster for your classroom to get ready for the competition!
Uniontown Cemetery is east of the town on Maple Road.
At 1 p.m. Friday, December 13 a holiday wreath presentation ceremony will take place at the Uniontown Cemetery, east of the town on Maple Road, to honor the veterans buried there.
The Uniontown Ruritan has organized the ceremony, which will include a speaker and patriotic songs by the Uniontown High Band and the Uniontown High School Choir.
The names of every veteran buried in this cemetery will be read while the wreaths are placed on the graves.
“This is not affiliated with the Wreaths Across America program,” Mary Pemberton, Ruritan member said. “Because Uniontown Cemetery is not a national cemetery, we do not receive a price break on wreaths like the Fort Scott National Cemetery does. In consideration of citizen donations and cost-effectiveness, we decided to purchase decorated manufactured wreaths that can be reused for several years, rather than purchasing through the WAA program, which are live, one-time-use wreaths.”
“Matt Crystal from the Veterans of Foreign Wars will be the speaker,” said Mark Warren, a Ruritan member who is organizing the event. “The UHS band, choir, basketball, and National Honor Society will be assisting the Uniontown Ruritan in doing this.”
Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Director Lindsay Madison takes a photo of Kate and Trent Freeman accepting an award from Kansas Tourism on December 9. Taken from the Chamber’s Facebook page.
Kansas Tourism Department Director Bridgett Jobe handed over two grants today in Fort Scott.
“You can see that Fort Scott is going through a renaissance,” Jobe told attendees at the Artificers reception for the award presentation.
The Artificers
Kate and Trent Freeman were awarded the $25,000 grant designed to help local businesses develop new attractions.
“They have had an instrumental role in rehabilitating our downtown area….with an innovative approach to enhance the beauty of this community for years to come,” Bourbon County Economic Development Director Rob Harrington said.
Jobe told reception attendees that the Freeman’s “passion for the community really came through.”
Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes
Taken from the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Facebook page. Kansas Tourism presented the LMC with a check to expand attractions.
The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes also received a $6,300 check from Kansas Tourism Director Bridgett Jobe today.
The grant is to help expand attractions that draw tourists to the community.
The center will use the funds to create a new history panel on an unsung hero in Ukraine who saved 100’s of children from starvation in her Ukrainian town, said Ronda Hassig, spokesperson for LMC.
“The Lowell Milken Center is a treasure,” Jobe, said. “Coming here inspires me to be a better person. It inspires me that it’s here in Kansas.”
The current First Presbyterian Church building is at 308 S. Crawford. Submitted photo.
The First Presbyterian Church is celebrating 165 years in the Fort Scott community.
“A special worship service will be held Sunday, November 17 at 10:30 a.m. at the church, with a celebration fellowship in the parlor afterward,” said Pastor Sarah Gengler.
Pastor Sarah Gengler. Submitted photo.
“Through the years, First Presbyterian has been blessed with 11 installed pastors, as well as two installed associate pastors,” Gengler said.
The current congregation members were deeply committed to continuing worship and ministry outreach while searching for a new pastor recently, according to information provided by Gengler. Twenty-three different members volunteered at least once, to preach a sermon during their Sunday morning worship. On February 1, 2024, the congregation gratefully welcomed their newest pastor, Rev. Sarah Gengler. Rev. Gengler has been in ministry for 10 years and moved here from Minnesota.
Currently, there are 134 members and worship service is 10:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings.
Pastor Gengler provided some of the outreaches of the church:
“First Presbyterian Church volunteers to cook and serve a meal for the Feeding Families Program at the Methodist church on the 4th Wednesday of every month.
There are two different adult Faith Formation classes beginning at 9:15 and 9:30 a.m. As well as “Waffles and Jesus” in the Zimmerman Hall dining room at 9:15 a.m., where a hot breakfast is prepared by church volunteers, and then class is held for children grades Kindergarten through 9th.
“The church co-hosts Vacation Bible School each summer with First United Methodist Church
“We hold a friendly competition between us and First United Methodist Church each year to see who can raise the most pounds of food for the Beacon Food Pantry.
“The Presbyterian Women’s organization directs a long-ago gift known as the Hack Memorial Fund, which helps those with the greatest need in Fort Scott. Included in the scope of this ministry are assistance with utilities, rent, and some medical and dental needs, all requests are received and recommended through the Beacon, Bourbon County’s food pantry.”
“The church remains active in the community,” she said. “Members are hosting two special showings of The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever at Fort Scott Cinema. Saturday at 1 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tell them First Presbyterian sent you!”
“The church will be holding a community-wide service of remembrance called Blue Christmas on Sunday, Dec. 8,” she said. “People are invited to join us at 2 p.m. for a time devoted to remembering those we love, and whose loss is felt more deeply this time of year.”
History of the church, provided by Pastor Gengler:
In the summer of 1859, a church-planting Presbyterian missionary, the Reverend Alexander Taylor Rankin of Buffalo, New York, was sent to Kansas by the Presbyterian General Assembly, according to information provided by Gengler. He officially organized the First Presbyterian Church on November 17th, 1859, with three members. In the first few years after its inception members met in each other’s homes for worship. Reverend George C. Irvin became the first installed pastor in 1865. The foundation for the first church was laid in 1864, where the present-day Cheney-Witt Carriage House now stands at the southeast corner of Third and Main. The church building was completed in 1865.
The first building of the First Presbyterian Church was at Third and Main Street. Submitted photo.
In 1888 the second church was constructed on the current property at 308 S. Crawford St., to accommodate the growing congregation.
By early 1920’s the congregation again recognized that it needed more space. The 1888 building was razed and the third church was built, laying its corner stone in 1924. The 100-year-old building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.
The second building of the First Presbyterian Church was located at the current site, 308 S. Crawford. Submitted photo.
The First Presbyterian Church has participated in many different ministries over the years, including youth groups, sewing groups, Presbyterian Women, the Methodists’ Feeding Families program, the Beacon Food Pantry, Sunday Serve events where congregation members completed service projects in the community, and Vacation Bible School, according to information provided by Gengler.
The Fort Scott National Historic Site Post Hospital. Submitted photo.
Today, November 1, is the first day that tickets for the Fort Scott National Historic Site’s 43rd Annual Candlelight Tour go on sale.
1,000 candle lanterns illuminate the site and reenactors-including participants of the tour- bring the fort to life each year during the candlelight tour. During the tour, one will be immersed in ways people have overcome and learned from challenges and new experiences in Fort Scott.
The event is on Friday and Saturday, December 6 and 7, 2024. Tours on December 6 will begin at 6:30 p.m. and leave every 15 minutes until 9 p.m. On Saturday, December 7, the tours will start at 5 p.m. with the final tour leaving at 9 p.m. Please arrive 10 minutes early to allow time to park, present/pick up your ticket, and get oriented. Participants are advised to please dress for the weather and conditions, as the tour will be outside and on sidewalks.
This year, participants will become frontier soldiers.
The theme is Challenges and New Experiences in Fort Scott. “Each new challenge on the frontier built confidence and led to a new view of one’s life,” Brenner said. “We learn through training and challenge. Each challenge faced at Fort Scott bettered the soldiers, preparing them for the future, and eventually, the next journey in their life.”
“We will be mustering visitors into Company A for the 1st dragoons, giving them the persona of an actual soldier,” Brenner said. “They will be part of the discussion around Fort Scott, preparing for the South Pass expedition, where they were to ride 2,200 miles in 99 days. They will celebrate the holidays with new carols from the 1840s, and then muster out, date-stamping their paper to take home as a souvenir. We are working to have the Grand Hall cleaned up and open, as in years past, for snacks, music, dancing, and to warm up after the tour.”
Dozens of volunteers come together to bring this event to life, including those who enjoy acting.
“We are lucky to have a group of very dedicated volunteers who help with multiple different events and projects at the park,” he said. “We are also working with Angie Bin, the Fort Scott High School’s speech and drama teacher, and some of her students. If you are interested or know someone who is, we can still use your help.”
Please call the park at 620-223-0310 or email us at [email protected] to find out more and become involved.
FSNHS is unable to take credit card numbers over the phone as in years past, said Carl Brenner, Program Manager for Interpretation and Resource Management at FSNHS(www.nps.gov/fosc).
Tickets can also be purchased at the Visitor Center on Old Fort Blvd. just east of Historic Downtown Fort Scott. They are $8 per person and non-refundable, children 5 and under are free. It is recommended that one gets tickets early to ensure a choice of tour times, as this event frequently sells out, according to an FSNHS press release.
History of the Candlelight Tour
“The Candlelight Tour began as a part of the Holiday Open House program where Fort Scott residents would decorate their homes and open them up to the public for the holidays,” Brenner said. “Fort Scott National Historic Site joined these festivities by decorating Capt. Swords Quarters in Officer’s Quarters #1. When that program ended, we continued with the yearly decorations. It began to grow to include staff and volunteers telling stories about Fort Scott’s history. This continued to grow into the Candlelight Tour. Within the last five years, we have adjusted the program to be more immersive with audience participation. We want visitors to be a part of the vignette instead of looking through a window as did Ebenezer Scrooge. We also encourage visitors to dress up for the tours, preferably in period clothing, for an even more immersive experience.”
About The Fort
Fort Scott National Historic Site is a unit of the National Park Service. The site exhibit areas and visitor center are open daily from 8:30 am-4:30 pm. The park grounds are open daily from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset. For more information about Fort Scott National Historic Site programs or become involved in the candlelight tour, or other activities, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.
