Forging a Nation: Fort Scott in the Mid Nineteenth Century

Promises made and broken! Who deserves to be free? The fight for freedom! Soldiers fighting settlers! Each of these stories is a link in the chain of events that encircled Fort Scott from 1842-1873. All of the site's structures, its parade ground, and its tallgrass prairie bear witness to this era when the country was forged from a young republic into a united transcontinental nation.

Three reenactors dressed in Dragoon Uniforms and on horseback riding through a tallgrass prairie.
A Story of America Growing Up

When the fort was established in 1842, the nation was still young and confined largely to the area east of the Mississippi River.

The grassy parade ground with trees, American flag flying on the flagpole, and officer's quarters.
Virtual Site Tour

Take a virtual tour of Fort Scott through 360-degree views.

NPS Arrowhead and phone showing the homepage to the park App.
Digital Guide to Fort Scott

Augmented Reality experience, interactive maps, self-guided tours, programs and events, and more. Download the official, free, app today!

Men and women dressed in 1850s clothing on the grass with the white building in the background.
Park Movie: Dreams and Dilemmas

We invite you to learn about the Fort's rich history through our online movie.

Several reenactors dressed in blue Union uniforms standing on parade ground at Fort Scott
Spring Civil War Encampment

Join us each April for our annual Spring Civil War Encampment.

A group of 5 African-American reenactors as members of the 1st Kansas Colored infantry.
African-American Troops

Learn more about the 1st Kansas Colored infantry, the first black troops in the Union Army.

Two girls wearing Junior Ranger vests taking the Junior Ranger pledge.
Junior Ranger Programs

Explore, Learn, and Protect! Fort Scott has three junior ranger booklets.

Woman in white clothing at a table with ceramic bowl, pitcher, and crock in front of a brick oven.
Life On The Frontier Education Videos

Watch new educational videos portraying life at Fort Scott National Historic Site.

Soldier in infantry dress uniform wearing shako and holding a musket standing in front of a doorway.
Programs at Fort Scott

Ranger guided tours and programs at Fort Scott

Last updated: January 25, 2026

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

PO Box 918
Fort Scott, KS 66701

Phone:

620 223-0310

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