The Candlelight Tour has long been a holiday tradition at Fort Scott. The light of 700 candle lanterns, the whinny of horses, and reenactors in period costume all help to create the ambience of yesteryear at the historic site. The purpose of the candlelight tour as originally conceived was to draw visitors to the site and to participate in the city’s holiday celebration, held the first weekend in December.

 

Today, the candlelight tour still serves those two functions, but it has evolved into a pageant of mid nineteenth century history in Southeastern Kansas. It lends a sense of enchantment to the site, it brings the fort to life, and it provides visitors a unique opportunity to experience our nation’s turbulent history during the years from 1842-73.

This year’s tour will focus on events that took place during various Decembers at Fort Scott from the 1840s through the Civil War. During that time period, soldiers and citizens of Fort Scott helped to advance the cause of freedom on the frontier. Westward expansion in the 1840s opened up opportunities and more freedoms for many Americans, while limiting them for other people. During the 1850s, several different ideas of freedom converged at Fort Scott during the “Bleeding Kansas” era, as conflict arose over the status of slavery in Kansas Territory. The Civil War meant emancipation for slaves and the expansion of equality and freedom as African Americans and American Indians joined the army at Fort Scott. Thus the scenes will reflect that concept and will include a gathering honoring soldiers returning victorious from war (December 1848), citizens discussing the emergence of Kansas as a free state (December 1859), and Union Army officers and African American soldiers making eager preparations for a celebration of emancipation (December 1862).

 

The tour will be offered December 4 and 5, 2009. Tours on December 4 will begin at 6:30 p.m. and go every 15 minutes until 9:0o p.m. On Saturday, December 5, the tours will run from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tickets go on sale Monday, November 2nd. Reservations are required and advanced purchase is recommended, as there are a limited number of tickets available. Tickets may be picked up at Fort Scott National Historic Site or reserved by calling (620) 223-0310. Payments can be made via cash, check or charge (DISCOVER, MasterCard, Visa). Tickets are $7.00 for adults; children five and under are free. Tickets are nonrefundable. The tour is sponsored by Western National Parks Association. Proceeds generated cover the cost of conducting the tour.

 

Candlelight Tour Ticket Policy