Tickets will go on sale Monday for the annual Candlelight Tour at Fort Scott National Historic Site.
The tour, sponsored by the Western National Parks Association, will be offered Dec. 4 and 5. Tours on Dec. 4 will begin at 6:30 p.m. and go every 15 minutes until 9 p.m. On Dec. 5 the tours will run from 5 to 9 p.m.
The tour will focus on events that took place during various Decembers at Fort Scott from the 1840s through the Civil War. During that time, soldiers and citizens of Fort Scott helped to advance the cause of freedom on the frontier. During the 1850s, several different ideas of freedom converged on Fort Scott during the “Bleeding Kansas” era as conflict arose over the status of slavery in Kansas Territory. The Civl War meant emancipation for slaves and the expansion of equality and freedom as African Americans and American Indians joined the army at Fort Scott.
Scenes depicted by reenactors will reflect this concept, including a gathering honoring soldiers returning victorious from war in December 1848, citizens discussing the emergence of Kansas as a free state in December 1849 and Union Army officers and African American soldiers making eager preparations for a celebration of emancipation in December 1862.
Lighting the site will be 700 candle lanterns.
Reservations are required for the tours, and advance purchase is recommended because there is a limited number of tickets available. Tickets are $7 for adults, and free to children 5 and younger. Payment may be made by cash, check or major credit card. They may be picked up at the historic site or reserved by calling 620-223-0310. Proceeds will cover the cost of conducting the tour.
FORT SCOTT —
