FORT LARNED — Along with the regular lineup of living history programs and demonstrations, Fort Larned National Historic Site will offer a special program about George Bent by John Steinle this weekend.
George Bent was the son of trader William Bent and his Cheyenne wife, Owl Woman. He was born near present-day La Junta, Colorado, and was raised in the cultures of both his parents. He identified as a Cheyenne, and was both a Confederate soldier during the Civil War and a Cheyenne warrior against the U.S. Army in the Indian Wars of the late 19th century.
Steinle is a native of Hamilton, Ohio. He spent several years as a commercial artist before pursuing a career in history. After receiving a master’s degree in museum and archival management from Wright State University, Steinle worked as a curator and archivist at the Cincinnati Art Museum and the Cincinnati Historical Society. He then served as director at several Ohio museums before moving to Colorado in 1992. In 1994, Steinle became the administrator of the Hiwan Homestead Museum in Evergreen, Colorado, working for Jefferson County Open Space. He was promoted to history education supervisor and region supervisor for the Bear Creek Region. He retired in 2016.
Steinle is the co-author with Richard Scamyhorn of “Stockades in the Wilderness: The Frontier Forts and Settlements of Southwestern Ohio, 1788-1795.” Since 1975, Steinle has been a member of many different living history and reenactment groups such as the 1st Colorado Volunteers Civil War unit.
In celebration of the National Park Service Centennial, Fort Larned National Historic Site invites the public to discover the meaning of national parks, how your park inspires you - both in personal connections and memorable experiences.
Fort Larned National Historic Site is located 6 miles west of Larned on K-156. It is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There is no admission fee.

Here is the Fort Larned Labor Day Weekend Schedule of Events:
Saturday & Sunday September 3 & 4
9 a.m. - Forge & Anvil: The Blacksmith at Fort Larned
10 a.m. - Frontier Army Weapons: Artillery & Rifle Firing Demonstrations
11 a.m. - American Indian Signs & Symbols: Kids Paint Activity
1 p.m. - George Bent Program by John Steinle
2 p.m. - Frontier Army Weapons: Artillery & Rifle Firing Demonstrations
3 p.m. - So You Want to Join the Army? Life of a Frontier Army Soldier
4:30 p.m. - Flag Retreat Program

Monday, September 5
10 a.m. - Forge & Anvil: The Blacksmith at Fort Larned
11 a.m. - American Indian Signs & Symbols: Kids Paint Activity
1 p.m. - Frontier Army Weapons: Artillery & Rifle Firing Demonstrations
2 p.m. - The Real Housewives of Fort Larned: Ladies on Officers Row
3 p.m. - So You Want to Join the Army? Life of a Frontier Army Soldier
4:30 p.m. - Flag Retreat program