LARNED — Everyone is invited to a historic program presented by the Fort Larned Old Guard on Saturday, April 28, at Fort Larned National Historic Site and the City of Larned. The afternoon presentations in Larned are free.
There is a charge of $15 per adult or $10 for 12 and under for the programs and evening dinner at Fort Larned NHS.
From 1 to 1:30 p.m., visitors may tour the Little Red House at the corner of 2nd and State in Larned. This house is interpreted as the first house in the town of Larned in 1872, which was moved from Fort Larned where it had served as the post trader’s mess hall. This house was recently donated to the Fort Larned Old Guard by David and Alice Clapsaddle.
At 1:30 p.m., at the Sibley Camp Site across the street from the house, Dr. Clapsaddle will tell the story of the Little Red House, tying the history of the fort and the city together.
There, at 2:10, Steve Schmidt, a Santa Fe Trail scholar from McPherson, will talk about surveying the Road to Santa Fe, beginning in 1825. The program is presented on site where the survey team camped.
At 3 p.m. the program will move to Fort Larned NHS, where the historic post and special camps set up for this event may be visited until the evening retreat ceremony at 5:45. There will be an Indian encampment, buffalo hunters’ camp, army sutler’s camp, and a pioneer photographer’s camp.
Dinner is served at 6 p.m., followed by welcome from Fort Larned Superintendent Kevin McMurry, a program of “Music on the Prairie” by Chris Day and Janet Armstead (members of the Fort Larned Old Guard Board), and a brief Old Guard membership meeting conducted by Chairman Rex Abrahams.
At 7:45 historian Louis Kraft from North Hollywood, Calif., author of a new book about an Indian Agent who served at Fort Larned (Ned Wynkoop and the Lonely Road from Sand Creek), will present “The Essence of Ned Wynkoop.” Kraft’s book will be available, and he will sign those following his presentation. Kraft is no stranger to Fort Larned, and this is a rare opportunity to hear him speak. Fort Larned’s Museum Store, operated by Western National Parks Association, is offering a 15 percent discount on all items purchased throughout the day.
Reservations for the programs and evening meal must be received by April 18.
For information or to make reservations, please contact Leo Oliva at 888-321-7341 or email: oliva@ruraltel.net. Bring a friend. Membership in the Old Guard is open to anyone who wants to help Kansas’ treasure—Fort Larned National Historic Site.