• Fort Parade Ground and Officers Quarters as seen from Guardhouse

    Fort Scott

    National Historic Site Kansas

Sweep Through History

Ranger and Volunteer presenting one of the programs for Sweep Through History.

NPS Ranger and intern presenting a program for A Sweep Through History

NPS Photo

Explore a tumultuous period of our nation's history as the country swept westward in the 1840s and became engulfed in a swirl of events that climaxed in the Civil War.

  • This program is designed for grades 5-6.
  • The purpose of this program is to acquaint the students with life at Fort Scott during the primary eras during the site's history: Westward Expansion, Bleeding Kansas and the Civil War.
  • Interpreters in period dress stationed at different locations will give presentations focusing on an aspect of life at Fort Scott from one of these eras.
  • The program consists of an introduction to the site's history, and three stations; each station representing a different era of the site's history.
  • The program is held on designated days in April and May and is offered twice each day. The days for programs in 2013 will be April 25, 26, May 9,10, and 17. Programs are offered at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on each of these days.
  • Each time-frame can accommodate up to 200 people, including students and adults. The program is wheelchair accessible.
  • Reservations for this program begin January 17 2013. For reservations call 620-223-0310. When making reservations, allow enough time to arrive 15 minutes before the program begins. Schools with a shorter drive should consider the 9:30 program, whereas schools coming from a longer distance may find that the 11:30 program will better suit their needs.
  • Upon arrival, students are given a brief introduction to the history of the site. They are then split up into three groups of 50 students maximum per group. Each group rotates between the three stations.
  • Each station lasts thirty minutes, with the total program length being about one hour and forty minutes.
  • At each station, the students will engage in activities relating to different aspects of life at Fort Scott during the mid-nineteenth century.
  • Confirmation and teacher's guides will be sent out in March. Guides will include pre- and post-visit activities.
  • When making reservations, allow enough time to arrive 15 minutes before the program begins.
 

Did You Know?

Park volunteer, Anatika Timmons-Lee (now deceased) portrays Anna in a dramatic presentation.

Many officers at Fort Scott in the 1840s owned slaves. One particular slave, Anna, was rented to Hiero Wilson, post sutler. Born free and educated, she was kidnapped into slavery in 1820, In 1849, she regained her freedom, married, operated a hotel in Eastern Kansas, and later became a pioneer.