There is much to keep a family interested in Fort life during the American Civil War.
“Experience it Without Needing to Enlist!,” according to a press release from the Fort Scott National Historic Site.
The Fort is hosting the Annual Civil War Encampment, April 15 and 16, this Saturday and Sunday. One can experience artillery, cavalry, and infantry troops preparing for battle, smell bread baking, participate in discussions about troop support and refugees, and be serenaded by the Vogts Sisters, acoustic Americana-Folk act.
“We are grateful to have had 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 many new and old Fort Scott National Historic Site volunteers alike,” said Superintendent Jill Jaworski. in a press release. “We encourage everyone to step back in time and smell, listen, see, and experience life at the fort.”
Saturday: join a discussion with author and historian Isaiah McCaffrey about the Indian Home Guard, learn about women’s lives during the Civil War, sit on the Officer’s front porch and learn about to sew and crochet, serenaded by the Vogts Sisters, and bake bread in the bakery, according to the press release.
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 from the 1800’s!
Camp Schedule:
SATURDAY, APRIL 15
Interpreters will be on the firing range with historic weapons and will be doing demonstrations around the site throughout the day.
- 9 am Raising the Colors with Boy Scout Troop 0114
- 9:30 am Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration
- 10m. Cavalry Program
- 10:30 am Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration
- 11 am Isaiah McCaffrey- Indian Home Guard Program
- Noon Vogts Sisters Musical Performance
- 1pm Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration
- 1:30 pm Telescope Blair Discussion
- 2 pm Cavalry Program
- 2:30 pm Women in the Army Discussion
- 3 pm Vogts Sisters Musical Performance
- 4pm Flag Retreat with Troop 0114
- 5 pm Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration
- 8 pm Night Sky Program with the Kansas Astronomical Observers
SUNDAY, APRIL 16
- Interpreters will be on the firing range with historic weapons and will be doing demonstrations around the site throughout the day.
- 9 am Rising Colors
- 10 am Guided Tour of the Fort
- 10:30 am Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration
- 11 am Infantry Dress Parade, Drill, and Weapons Demonstration
- Noon Cavalry Program
- 1 pm Guided Tour of the Fort
- 1:30 pm Telescope Blair Discussion
- 2 pm Life as a Refugee Discussion
- 2:30 pm Cavalry Program
- 3 pm Artillery Drill and Weapons Demonstration
- 3:30 pm Infantry Drill and Weapons Demonstration
- 4pm Flag Retreat
You are always welcome to wear a mask, and please remember to keep safe distances, wash your hands, and have fun, according to the press release.
Summer Hours of Operation
From April 1-October 31, the Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, is open for its summer hours of operation: daily from 8 am – 5 pm The parks in The park is open every day from half an hour before sunrise until one day. half an hour after sunset. To learn more or participate in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc
About the Fort and the National Parks System
Fort Scott National Historic Site is a free park that offers a glimpse into the growth of our nation. A walk through the fort reveals the key role it played in the opening of the West, as well as, the Civil War and the Kansas State conflict that preceded it. For more information call the park at 620-223-0310, visit us at www.nps.gov/fosc, on Facebook www.facebook.com/FortScottNPSTwitter www.twitter.com/FortScottNPS, and Instagram www.instagram.com/fortscottnps
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for more than 420 national parks in America and work with communities across the country to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.