Submitted by Fort Scott National Historic Site

This year marks the 175th anniversary of Fort Scott, which was established in 1842. In commemoration of this momentous occasion, Fort Scott National Historic Site is pulling out all the stops with frontier-era military reenactments on Saturday, June 3. Stop by the fort during the town-wide Good Ol’ Days celebration and stroll the grounds to experience the bustling activity of the 1842-1853 frontier fort.

Fort Scott NHS is excited to announce the participation of dismounted cavalry and dragoon units, two infantry units, an artillery unit, and representatives of the Western Bluecoats Field Hospital.

Of special note is the attendance of the US Corps of Topographical Engineers, who were instrumental in surveying and mapping the West. It is sure to be a fun-filled and exciting day with nearly 100 costumed living-history reenactors to observe, learn from, and interact with.

Visit with soldiers, laundresses, surgeons, and officers’ wives as they go about their daily routines. Enjoy the variety of Historic Weapons demonstrations throughout the day. Meet the men and women who shaped the very beginnings of Fort Scott during a Guided Tour. Enjoy first-hand accounts of fort activity through the letters of Captain Thomas Swords and his wife Charlotte. Living history activities will be ongoing from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.

SATURDAY, JUNE 3

9:00 a.m. – Raising the Colors

10:00 a.m. – Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration

11:00 a.m. – Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration

12:00 p.m. – Guided Tour: Men and Women of the Old Fort

1:00 p.m. – The Tongue is More Useful than the Arrow: The Letters of Thomas and Charlotte Swords

2:00 p.m. – Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration

3:00 p.m. – Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration

4:00 p.m. – Flag Retreat