Experience it Without Needing to Enlist!
Fort Scott Kan. – Fort Scott National Historic Site is hosting its Annual Civil War Encampment, April 15 and 16, 2023. Join us to experience artillery, cavalry, and infantry troops preparing for battle, smell bread baking, participate in discussions about troop and refugee support, and be serenaded by the Vogts Sisters! This well-loved tradition is back and better than ever!
“We are grateful to have the generous support and participation from the Holmes Brigade, Boy Scout Troop 0114, Friends of Fort Scott, Inc., Fort Smith National Historic Site’s Cavalry Troop, and plenty of new and old Fort Scott National Historic Site volunteers alike,” said Superintendent Jill Jaworski. “We encourage everyone to step back in time and smell, hear, see, and experience life at the fort.”
Saturday: join the discussion with author and historian Isaias McCaffrey about the Indian Home Guard, find out about the lives of women during the Civil War period, sit on the Officer’s front porch and learn about sewing and crocheting, be serenaded by the Vogts Sisters, and baking bread in the bakery. Sunday: play authentic lawn games and participate in a discussion about being a Civil War refugee. The weekend is full of fun and games for the whole family straight from the 1800’s!
Encampment Schedule:
SATURDAY, APRIL 15
Interpreters will be at the firing range with historic weapons and doing demonstrations around the site throughout the day.
- 9 a.m. Raising the Colors with the Boy Scout Troop 0114
- 9:30 a.m. Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration
- 10 a.m. Cavalry Program
- 10:30 a.m. Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration
- 11 a.m. Isaias McCaffrey- Indian Home Guard Program
- Noon Vogts Sisters Musical Performance
- 1 p.m. Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration
- 1:30 p.m. Lunette Blair Discussion
- 2 p.m. Cavalry Program
- 2:30 p.m. Women in the Army Discussion
- 3 p.m. Vogts Sisters Musical Performance
- 4 p.m. Flag Retreat with Troop 0114
- 5 p.m. Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration
- 8 p.m. Night Sky Program with the Kansas Astronomical Observers
SUNDAY, APRIL 16
Interpreters will be at the firing range with historic weapons and doing demonstrations around the site throughout the day.
- 9 a.m. Raising the Colors
- 10 a.m. Guided Tour of the Fort
- 10:30 a.m. Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration
- 11 a.m. Infantry Dress Parade, Drill, and Weapons Demonstration
- Noon Cavalry Program
- 1 p.m. Guided Tour of the Fort
- 1:30 p.m. Lunette Blair Discussion
- 2 p.m. Life as a Refugee Discussion
- 2:30 p.m. Cavalry Program
- 3 p.m. Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration
- 3:30 p.m. Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration
- 4 p.m. Flag Retreat
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.
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Credit Photos: NPS Photo