I've been to a number of forts over the years, from Fort McHenry in Baltimore to Fort Point in San Francisco. I have even had the opportunity to work at a fort. Each one is different. Fort Larned was the same way. Unique and original. Recently, I had the opportunity to return to Kansas and tour Fort Larned.
I visited on a weekday, as my schedule required me to do so, so it was not peak visitation day nor interpretive programming available, but it was great for taking time to look through the exhibit space. A brochure was really necessary as there were not of flat panel signs that talked about the buildings or about the fort's history. Because I had a toddler in tow, it made it hard to look through the museum portion because he was on the go. Larned is not very traveler friendly. It is not really near any big cities or large highways. However, it is well worth the visit.
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The Parade Ground, flag pole,
cannon piece, and officer quarters |
Fort Larned was established just before the Civil War and was used to protect traders travelling to Santa Fe. Soldiers stationed at the fort were there to protect and fight Native Americans and conduct peace treaties. The fort was also a home for the 10th Cavalry. This unit was comprised of Black soldiers nicknamed the "Buffalo Soldiers". Fort Larned was also the location of an Indian Agency and a distribution center for US annuities to Native Americans as a result of the peace treaties. With the departure of the Native Americans to reservations, the importance of the fort left with them and the post was soon abandoned in 1878. It was purchased by a private buyer but curious visitors felt the need to leave their names and dates on the sandstone walls as they toured. The fort became a National Park in 1960s and is preserved for new curious visitors daily.
The buildings were spacious. The areas for visitors were plenty and available for large group tours to be all together. The Quartermaster buildings had lots of equipment in the rooms, especially boxes. There was also blockhouse which doubled as a guardhouse and jail. The fort's hospital area was interactive, in that the visitor could sit or even lie upon the hospital cots. In the company barrack room, a Ranger had the barrier down and I could wander among the racks and closely inspect items. The Park had large amounts of Living History clothing on display that the Park staff and volunteers might be able to use for demonstrations and Living History. It gave the rooms a lived in feel and, making them less like show exhibits. In contrast, the officer's quarters were furnished how an officer or his family might live in them for show, though behind a barrier.
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| The enlisted barracks |
We visited the Blacksmith's shop where he explained the process of making a chain link while he made one.
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| Critical links made on demand |
The facilities at Fort Larned are great for large tour groups like school students. The buildings are well maintained and had a great number of rooms furnished for viewing and rooms for interacting. The only drawback is that it is that it was so far off the beaten path that this made it the kind of park that you have to want to get to on purpose, rather than a fun thing that you find along the way. Of course, the Park cannot help that, but if you are even in central Kansas, please go and visit, or visit the website at
www.nps.gov/fols.
