Homes tour goers can attend Christmas Ball

It's not often, these days, that an event comes along that calls for dancing shoes and 1840s-style clothing, yet that's exactly the case with the Fort Scott National Historic Site's Christmas Ball, conducted as part of the annual Homes for the Holidays tour.

The third annual Christmas Ball will take place from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 in the Grand Hall at the FSNHS.

The Christmas Ball combines Victorian-era dance presentations, conducted by National Park Service volunteers, with dance instruction for the public, as well.

Park ranger Kelley Collins said NPS volunteers will be dressed in 1840s attire, and she said attendees are welcome to do the same.

"They are welcome to dress in 1840s or Victorian Era attire," she said, "but they can also just walk in off the street with whatever they have on."

Local musicians Don and Mim Carlson, along with well-known local music duo Fuss n' Feathers -- Ralph Carlson and Red Stradley -- will provide the day's entertainment. Fort Scott resident Robert Thomas will instruct the public on the steps for several dances such as the Schottische and the Virginia Reel.

"Anyone wanting to join the festivities is welcome to do that," Collins said, "but if they just want to come and watch, they are also welcome to do that."

The idea for the Christmas Ball as part of the Homes for the Holidays tour stems from the traditional way that men and women celebrated the holidays during the Victorian era.

"One way they celebrated the holidays was to have a party," Collins said. "Music was very much a part of that. Of course, they didn't have the technology available like we have today, with movies and things like that. Also, even in army posts, they would have Christmas dances, and the men would dance with each other."

There is no admission charge for the Christmas Ball. For more information about the program, contact the FSNHS at (620) 223-0310.

Tickets for the 27th annual Homes for the Holidays tour are currently available at Country Cupboard, 12 N. Main St.; at Ruddick's Furniture, 117 S. National Ave.; at City State Bank, 1012 U.S. Highway 69; and at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall St.

Tickets will also be available during the tour at any of the tour stops. The ticket price is $8 per person. The homes will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 2-3.