Fort Scott National Historic Site

Celebrate American independence with immersion in America’s history while honoring the men and women who have defended the United States through the growth of our nation.

On Friday, July 4th,  we will lead Fort tours, and honor all those who have fought for our freedom.

Programs TBD 

Visitors and community members are reminded that fireworks are not permitted on the grounds of Fort Scott National Historic Site.

Park buildings will be open from 8:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. Park grounds are open daily from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.

Celebrate American independence with the sounds of cannon fire and immersion in America’s history while honoring the men and women who have defended the United States through the growth of our nation.

 On July 4th, we will fire artillery, lead Fort tours, and honor all those who have fought for our freedom.

 JULY 4

10 a.m. – Artillery Demonstration

11 a.m. – Artillery Demonstration

1 p.m. – Ranger Guided Tour of the Fort

2 p.m. – Artillery Demonstration

3 p.m. – Artillery Demonstration

Visitors and community members are reminded that fireworks are not permitted on the grounds of Fort Scott National Historic Site.

Join a Ranger for some bird trivia and a bird walk to celebrate Valentine's Day and participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count. Test your knowledge about pairs and courtship in the bird realm and earn some Valentine's Day candy. Meet at the Visitor Center, bring your binoculars, wear comfortable shoos, and dress for the weather.

Fort Scott National Historic Site is hosting its Annual Civil War Encampment, April 18 and 19, 2026.  Join us each day to experience cavalry, artillery, and infantry troops drilling and preparing for battle in the summer of 1861.

Talk to a blacksmith as he brings raw metal to life with his hammer, and speak with volunteers portraying some of the men and women who provided support to the troops and operations during the Civil War. Listen to the Second Hand Strings musical performance, learn about Civil War medicine, bread baking, and challenge your family or friends to tug-o-war and other historic lawn games. The weekend is full of adventure for the whole family straight from the 1800’s!

Encampment Program Schedule: 
SATURDAY, APRIL 18
9 a.m. Raising the Colors (Garrison Flagpole)
9:30 a.m. Infantry Weapons Demonstration (Black Powder Area)
10 a.m. Ranger Guided Tour of the Fort (meet at Visitor Center)
10:30 a.m. Cavalry Program (next to Stables)
11 a.m. Civil War Medicine (next to Post Hospital)
11:30 a.m. Artillery Weapons Demonstration (Black Powder Area)
Noon Second Hand Strings Musical Performance (Hospital Porch)
1 p.m. Guided Tour of the Fort (meet at Visitor Center)
2 p.m. Infantry Weapons Demonstration (Black Powder Area)
3 p.m. Cavalry Program (next to Stables)
4 p.m. Flag Retreat (Garrison Flagpole)
4:30 p.m. Artillery Weapons Demonstration (Black Powder Area)

SUNDAY, APRIL 19
9 a.m. Raising the Colors (Garrison Flagpole)
9:30 am Historic Church Service (Dragoon Barracks)
10 a.m. Ranger Guided Tour of the Fort (meet at Visitor Center)
10:30 a.m. Infantry Weapons Demonstration (Black Powder Area)
11 a.m. Civil War Medicine (next to Post Hospital)
11:30 a.m. Artillery Weapons Demonstration (Black Powder Area)
1 p.m. Ranger Guided Tour of the Fort (meet at Visitor Center)
1:30 p.m. Infantry Weapons Demonstration (Black Powder Area)
2 p.m. Civil War Medicine (next to Post Hospital)
2:30 p.m. Cavalry Program (next to Stables)
3:30 p.m. Artillery Weapons Demonstration (Black Powder Area)
4 p.m. Flag Retreat (Garrison Flagpole)
4:30 p.m. Artillery Weapons Demonstration (Black Powder Area)

Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, exhibit areas and visitor center are currently open Friday through Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Park grounds are open daily from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset. To find out more or become involved in activities at the Fort, please contact the park at 620-223-0310 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.

Fort Scott National Historic Site is hosting its Annual Civil War Encampment, April 18 and 19, 2026.  Join us each day to experience cavalry, artillery, and infantry troops drilling, preparing for battle, and sharing stories of life during the Civil War. Talk to a blacksmith as he brings raw metal to life with his hammer, learn the process of crafting lead musket balls, and speak with volunteers portraying some of the women who provided support to the troops and operations during the Civil War.

Bring the family or friends and challenge them to a tug-o-war and other play historic lawn games.  The weekend is full of fun for the whole family straight from the 1800’s!

 Encampment Program Schedule: TBD

Fort Scott National Historic Site invites you to join the park in placing the flags for the “Symbols of Sacrifice” Field of Honor Friday morning, May 22, 2026. To ensure everyone can help, we encourage individuals and groups to plan on arriving from 8:30 a.m. through 1 p.m., but you may help as long as you wish. To find out more and to become involved, please contact the park at 620-223-0310, email us at fosc_interpretation@nps.gov, or just come out and help.

Symbols of Sacrifice continues the entire Memorial Day Weekend, Friday, May 22nd through Monday, May 25th. The Field of Honor will be open throughout during normal park grounds hours from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset all weekend. Fort Scott National Historic Site also encourages volunteers to help us retire the display on Tuesday, May 26th. This is an all-weather event.

The Field of Honor with its approximately 8,500 flags commemorate the ultimate sacrifice members of the United States Armed Forces have made to keep this country free. Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day. It originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971.

Learn Native American stories and experience dance performances by the Oklahoma Fancy Dancers. Then create traditional corn husk dolls in Native Plains fashion. All activities are free and open to the public.

 SATURDAY, JUNE 6

10 a.m.: Ranger Guided Tour of the Fort, meet in the Visitor Center

1 p.m.: Oklahoma Fancy Dancers (Native American Cultural Dance Presentation), Parade Ground

2:30 p.m.: Make & Take Traditional Native Corn Husk Doll Workshop for youth and some space for adults, meet inside of the Grand Hall

Fort Scott National Historic Site, American Legion Post 25, and Fort Scott Fire Department will be hosting an official US Flag Disposal Ceremony. Bring your: United States, POW/MIA, State, and Service (U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard) flags to the fort between now and 9:30 am Saturday and we will properly and respectfully dispose of them. Just as there’s etiquette for displaying Old Glory, there’s also etiquette for disposing of flags in a dignified manner.

Fort Scott National Historic Site will host the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the U.S. District Court, Kansas District, for a Special Naturalization Ceremony. Check-in for new citizens begins at 9:30 a.m. and the ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m.

The ceremony features musical performances from the Fort Scott High School Orchestra, with welcoming remarks by Fort Scott National Historic Site Superintendent Jill Jaworski and Fort Scott City Manager Brad Matkin. A keynote address will be made.

There will be seating for the applicants, but additional seating will be limited. Friends, family, guests, and the public are highly encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets for seating. In case of rain or inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to Fort Scott’s Memorial Hall.

Fort Scott is the story of the growth of our nation, and its fight for freedom. On the same parade ground that the very first African Americans were brought into the Northern Armies to openly fight for their freedom and a better life, these new citizens are starting down their own path of freedom and a better life.

September 17 to 23, the nation observes Constitution Week. The commemoration honors both the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787, (Constitution Day), an observance that began in 1940 as “I Am an American Day,” and Citizenship Day that began in 1952 based on a law signed by President Harry Truman. 

Each year, USCIS celebrates the connection between the Constitution and citizenship by reflecting on what it means to be a citizen of the United States and holding special naturalization ceremonies across the country.

We encourage new citizens and guests to share their naturalization ceremony experiences and photos through social media, using the hashtags #NewUSCitizen #ConstitutionWeek, #FortScottNPS, and #FindYourPark.

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, 10:30 a.m.

WHERE:
Fort Scott National Historic Site
1 Old Fort Blvd.
Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701

NOTES:
Media attending the ceremony are requested to RSVP to the NPS at carl_brenner@nps.gov 

Media may come early to speak with the candidates but should plan to be in place by 10:20 a.m.

The new citizens’ naturalization certificates contain personally identifiable information. We request that media outlets not publish/share photos of new citizens holding their certificates unless that information is blurred.

The 45th Annual Candlelight Tour is Friday and Saturday, December 4 and 5, 2026. Tours on December 4th will begin at 6:30 p.m. and leave every 15 minutes until 9 p.m. On Saturday, December 5th, the tours will start at 5 p.m. with the final tour leaving at 8:45 p.m. Please arrive 10 minutes early to allow time to park, check in, and get oriented. Participants are advised to please dress for the weather and conditions, as the entire tour will be outside and on sidewalks.

1,000 candle lanterns illuminate the site and reenactors (including you) bring the fort to life. This year’s tour is about Comfort and Joy at Fort Scott.