"Life on the Frontier" Virtual Resource Center

 

Students arrive at Fort Scott to experience Life on the Frontier

NPS/Wiley Aker

Share the experience of life on the frontier

The staff at Fort Scott developed the virtual resource center in the spring of 2000 as a research aid to high school students who present programs to elementary students in grades K-4 during our "Life on the Frontier" program. The individual programs, or stations, convey various aspects of life at Fort Scott during the 1840s.

Teachers of all grades are encouraged to visit the virtual resource center prior to attending onsite programs. You'll find a vast amount of information about the fort, the people who lived here, and 1840s life on the American frontier and beyond.

These resources were developed using books and articles in the library at Fort Scott NHS. While developed with high school students in mind, learners of all ages will find valuable information.

 

Bugle Calls

Visiting classes are encouraged to investigate our page on daily bugle calls so students will understand their importance when they visit.

 

An interpreter leads educational programming at a Life on the Frontier station.

NPS/Wiley Aker

Preparing your station

Participating students move through a series of stations highlighting different aspects of life on the frontier. Each station has it's own series of pages which includes detailed information and a variety of multimedia which will help in program development.

Find inspiration for your station with our collection of education program videos.

 

Note to High School Students

Your job as presenters is not to just repeat this information verbatim. Take this information and decide how to present it in a way that will hold the attention of K-4 students. Utilize role playing, activities, games, and interactive demonstrations. Suggested activities for each station are included in the program.

 

At minimum each station has the following pages:

1. Overview: This page includes a short introduction to the station and a brief description of the area where the program will be held.

2. Program Outline: The heart of the program, this section addresses the tangible resources, and intangible and universal concepts an interpretor uses to achieve the program's educational goals, and provides sample activities for each station.

3. Tools of the Trade: This is a list of props and clothing available for use or reference at each station during the program.

4. Regulations: Specific rules and regulations related to your station that soldiers and civilians followed, taken from the 1847 Army General Regulations.

5. Historical Background: Several pages of historical information related to each station

 

Stations

Dragoon Soldier

U.S. Army Dragoons were trained to fight on both foot and horseback. Learn about their training, equipment, and day-to-day life.

Infantry Soldier

The backbone of any army, the infantry "held down" the fort and completed fatigue duties while mounted soldiers were out on the trail.

Laundress

The only role for women officially recognized by the Army, laundresses often earned higher wages than enlisted soldiers.

Officer's Quarters

Well appointed officer's quarters were the prime real estate of any fort.

Stables

The stables kept the horses safe, healthy, and ready for campaign and combat.

Guardhouse

Guards on duty patrolled the perimeter of the fort and watched over enlisted men held in the prison for various offenses.

Hospital

At a time before the germ theory of disease was widely accepted, you may have done better to stay out of the hospital!

Bakehouse

Bread was the staple food of a soldier's diet and the bakehouse was an essential part of all permanent army posts.

Sutler

More than simply a merchant selling wares at the fort, the sutler was also the local postmaster, barkeep, and news seller.

Quartermaster

The quartermaster department was responsible for construction, maintenance, and supply of all the army forts and military roads

Artillery

The six-pounder light artillery stationed at Fort Scott was used only for ceremonial purposes.

Weapons

Learn about the operation, handling, and care of weapons and ammunition.

Cooking

Each barrack had it's own kitchen and mess hall. Soldiers on fatigue duty cooked here in an open fireplace.

Construction

On the frontier construction was difficult, builders contended with a lack of materials and skilled artisans.

Children's Activities

At remote frontier forts, schooling could be hard to come by. Oftentimes a post chaplain would play the rule of schoolmaster.

Leisure Activities

Far from a luxury, leisure played an important role in maintaining morale, developing camaraderie, and allaying the tedium of frontier life.

 

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