FORT SCOTT CANDLELIGHT TOUR

Civil War history will be the focus of the 24th Annual Candlelight Tour at Fort Scott National Historic Site. This year's program will be held on Friday, December 2, 2005, and Saturday, December 3, 2005.

Tickets go on sale at 9:00 a.m., Saturday, November 5, 2005. They can be picked up in person at the site or may be reserved by calling 620-223-0310. Tickets for the tour are $5.00 each. Payment can be made using cash, personal check, MasterCard, VISA, or Discover. Advance reservations are highly recommended. Purchased tickets are non-refundable.

The emphasis of this year's tour will be the upheaval and change that the Civil War brought to the lives of soldiers and civilians at Fort Scott. During the war, Fort Scott played a vital role as a Union supply base and training ground, but perhaps more important was the diversity of troops stationed or trained here. Soldiers of African American, American Indian and European descent all passed through Fort Scott during the war. The contributions of these soldiers will be one highlight of this year's tour. Other features of the tour will be a Civil War era Christmas scene and the return of audience participation in some of the scenes.

During the tour, six different scenes-all of which are new this year-will bring this crucial era of the nation's history to life.

Tours will run every 15 minutes on Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Allow approximately one hour and fifteen minutes for the outdoor walking tour. Warm clothing and sturdy walking shoes are recommended.

For more information, call 620-223-0310 or e-mail fosc_interpretation@nps.gov.