Without Needing to Enlist!
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.
-NPS-
Credit Photo as: NPS Photos