Post Hospital

A Place of Suffering, A Place of Healing

Michelle Martin

Quick Facts

Amenities

1 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits

This building is one of the original buildings on site and served as the post hospital during the 1840s and again during the Civil War. Sick and wounded soldiers could be treated at the hospital, which was designed with the health and recovery of the patients in mind. However, due to the medical practices of the time, treatment here often impeded recovery, rather than aiding it. On the second floor of this building is a hospital wardroom, furnished as it might have appeared in the 1840s.

Safety

This building is a two story building that has both an interior and exterior stairway. Stairs are steep so please watch your step and use handrails. Exterior stairs are slippery during inclement weather, are roped off by staff, and should not be used, except in the case of an emergency. Both floors of the building have two exterior doors that are kept unlocked during hours of operation to provide safe exit in case of emergency. On the lower floor visitors should be aware of a slight difference in elevation between the hallway and the visitor center area. Please watch your step.Should you require medical or other assistance during your visit, the visitor center is staffed continuously during hours of operation. The person on duty can assist you with your needs. First aid and lost and found services are available.

Accessibility

Wheelchair ramps at both doors provide access to the first floor of this building for the mobility impaired. The visitor center desk is designed with an accessible lower portion and an accessible sales counter. The restrooms and drinking fountain in this building are also accessible Two wheelchairs are available at the checkout for those who need them during their visit. The second floor of this building is not accessible for wheelchairs due to the historic nature of the site. Photos of the second floor are available on this app.

The visitor center also has services for the seeing and hearing impaired. The text of our site's brochure is available in braille. Ask at the visitor center desk if you or someone in your party requires a copy as you tour the site., The site also has assistive listening devices for people attending tours and programs. These are also available at the visitor center desk. Please let us know in advance if you wish to use this service, so we can arrange for the presenter to carry an amplifier.

Park Store
Inside the visitor center is a park store operated by Western National Parks Association. The store carries several books related to military history, the Civil War, Bleeding Kansas, American Indians, African Americans, and women on the frontier. There are also postcards, T shirts, patches, magnets, pins and several historic "souvenirs" (jaw harps, tin cups, Civil War telescope, bonnets, etc.). The store also has a children's book section.