Living history programs planned at historic site

Sunday, August 27, 2006

Herald-Tribune

Fort Scott, Kan. -- Fort Scott National Historic Site will conduct a series of demonstrations and educational programs on Sept. 2-4 in celebration of Labor Day.

On Saturday, Sept. 2, rangers and volunteers will participate in "Living History," a series of programs that demonstrate various activities that took place at the fort in the 1840s.

"They'll recreate 1840s military life at the fort," Galen Ewing, fort ranger, said. "Being Labor Day weekend, the focus will be on labor."

On Saturday, visitors will have an opportunity to learn how various medical issues would have been treated in the 1840s, barter with a post sutler, watch as post laundresses wash and mend laundry the old fashioned way, and even view and smell the baking of fresh bread. There will also be an artillery demonstration.

Events on Saturday begin at 9 a.m. and run until a flag retreat at 4 p.m. There will be a guided tour of the fort at 1.

On Sunday and Monday, the fort will present "Highlights in History," which includes a series of talks that interpret Fort Scott's role in some of the most pivotal events in American history. "Call to Duty" is a program on how the ever-changing politics of the time dictated the military's mission of the soldiers in Fort Scott from 1842-1873.

Another program, "Forgotten Casualties of War," will discuss Fort Scott's role as a refugee haven during the Civil War. "Democracy Run Wild" will focus on how the issues of "Bleeding Kansas" affected all levels of government.

Sunday's and Monday's programs start at 11 a.m. and run to 3 p.m. There will be guided tours both days at 1.

Fort Scott National Historic Site is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is an entrance fee of $3 for each adult age 16 and over. Children 15 years old and under are admitted free of charge. For more information, including a schedule of next weekend's activities, call the site at (620) 223-0310 or visit the Web site at www.nps.gov/fosc.

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