News Release

Santa's Adventures at Fort Larned

Date: December 11, 2020
Contact: George Elmore, 620-285-6911

Who’s naughty? Who’s nice? What would it be like if Santa was a soldier in 1867? These questions and more are answered in this year’s Virtual Christmas Open House hosted by Fort Larned National Historic Site (NHS). In lieu of the annual Christmas Open House at Fort Larned, this virtual event will be published on Fort Larned’s Facebook page as well as the park’s official website (www.nps.gov/fols) at 9:00AM on Saturday, December 19th. 

Santa couldn’t decide who was naughty or who was nice at Fort Larned the year of 1867, so he decided to visit the post in person. Watch as Santa becomes a soldier of the day, finding out where is bunk is, getting a uniform, and learning how to march properly. By the end of the day, it was very clear to Santa who was naughty and who was nice. 

This virtual event was filmed entirely on location at Fort Larned NHS, utilizing the staff and volunteers that work there. So, in the future, if you fancy yourself a visit to Fort Larned, you’ll not only see the same sights, but some of the same faces as well. And not only is there the best preserved site along the Santa Fe Trail, but Fort Larned NHS includes a History and Nature Trail where you can see a nearly uninterrupted view of Kansas Prairie. 

Fort Larned NHS hopes that by hosting this virtual event, families from all over the country might be able to enjoy a Christmas-y twist on learning what life was like for these frontier soldiers. While this year, Fort Larned NHS is only hosting a virtual event, they hope in future years to host both virtual and physical events. 

Fort Larned National Historic Site is located six miles west of Larned on Kansas Highway 156. For Information on planning a visit see our Plan Your Visit page, call 620-285-6911, or email e-mail us. For information on area tourism partners, lodging, dining, and community services go to www.larnedks.org or call [phone].