An “Old Fashioned Military Holiday Weekend” is planned Friday through Sunday at the Fort Scott National Historic Site.
A special evening tour at 7:30 p.m. Friday will highlight dramatic scenes from Fort Scott during the Civil War. Those attending will hear the exploits of soldiers as they patrolled for bush whackers and the story of a courageous woman who, despite the threat of invasion, refused to leave her home. They will also relive the experiences of African American soldiers who took an important step toward freedom and equality as they joined the Union Army.
Scheduled Saturday will be an artillery demonstration at 10 a.m., historic children’s games such as tug of war and sack races at 11 a.m., concerts by the Blue and Gray Brass Brigade Band at noon and 2 p.m., a guided tour at 1 p.m., a “Glorious 4th” speech and 30-gun salute at 3:15 p.m. and flag retreat at 4:30 p.m.
Free lemonade will be provided by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Tourism Committee and served by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and committee members. Free ice cream will be served after the concert.
Activities planned on Sunday will be a bake house talk at 10 a.m., historic weapons demonstrations at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., a talk by the post surgeon at noon, guided tour at 1 p.m., and a talk on “A Dragoon’s Life” at 2 p.m.
Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is an entrance fee of $3 for each adult aged 16 and older, with those 15 and younger admitted free. Anyone needing additional information may call the site at 620-223-0310 or visit the web site at www.nps.gov/fosc.
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