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Historic Fort Hays is busiest
state property
Historic Fort Hays is a leader
among visitors to Kansas' 17 historical sites, drawing about
40,000 visitors per year.
On the grounds of the site are three of the original buildings,
the blockhouse, guard house and an officers' quarters. A second
officers' quarters has been located to the museum.
Originally called Fort Fletcher, the fort was established in
1865 to protect military roads and the Smoky Hill Trail, defend
construction gangs on the Union Pacific Railway and guard the
movement of mails. The fort served as a major supply depot for
other Army posts in western and southern Kansas.
During the 24 years it was an active military post, Fort Hays
was the home of several notable characters from history, including
Wild Bill Hickok, Buffalo Bill Cody, Gen. Philip H. Sheridan,
Lt. Col. George A. Custer, Col. Nelson Miles, and the 9th and
10th Black Cavalries, better known as "Buffalo Soldiers."
Part of the reason visitors flock to the museum is the educational
programs offered throughout the year.
Living history presentations are conducted each weekend throughout
June, July and August. Visitors learn about such everyday facets
of life at the fort as laundry demonstrations, firearms demonstrations
and fashions of the Victorian era.
Buffalo Bill's Old Pard Day, held in May, features reenactors
depicting the lives of buffalo hunters and other frontier characters.
The second weekend of June is the annual "Young Troopers"
weekend, when fifth-graders come to the fort to camp, cook their
own food and learn about the life of a frontier-era soldier.
On July 4, Fort Hays sponsors an annual band concert and picnic.
Historic Fort Hays Days, held Sept. 7 and 8, 2001, features reenactments
of life at the fort and on the plains.
Dec. 7 and 8, Fort Hays will hold the 31st annual Christmas Past.
Visitors can tour the officers' quarters, sample hot cocoa and
cookies, enjoy Christmas carols at the blockhouse, see old-time
Christmas decorations and tour the guard house.
Kansas Day is celebrated each Jan. 29.
Each winter, Fort Hays sponsors a winter film series.
Exhibits at the fort include weapons, historic toys, household
furnishings, and archeological artifacts.
It is located on U.S. Highway 183 Alternate south of Interstate
70. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1
to 5 p.m. Sunday and Monday. Open every day except Easter, Thanksgiving,
Christmas and New Year's.
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