Frontier Days scheduled for Sept. 29, 30

American Indian dancers perform on the Fort Scott National Historic Site parade ground for visitors during a past Frontier Days event. This year's event, centered on American Indian culture from the Indian removal to the Civil War, will take place at the fort on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 29 and 30. FSNHS photo.

The National Park Service at Fort Scott National Historic Site will host Frontier Days on Sept. 29 and 30. Guests will be able to visit the site and learn more about American Indian culture and history from Indian Removal to the Civil War.

Family, religion, heritage, the earth -- all of these things are important to Native American culture. These values are reflected through dancing, myth and legends, stories and crafts handed down from generation to generation. All of these topics will be highlighted along with children's activities during the two-day event, a FSNHS statement said.

Programs and activities include living history presentations, Indian dancing and games, and a puppet show. Visitors may take a guided prairie walk, attend the program "Osage People of the Middle Waters," while elsewhere on the grounds, children may try their hand at hide painting from 1 to 3 p.m. both days of the event.

Sonny Glass, a member of the Quapaw tribe, will present his ever popular Native American dance program geared toward children. Glass will perform at 11 a.m. Saturday and at 1 p.m. on Sunday. David Fowler, an historic interpreter at Fort Gibson Military Park, will give two speeches on Saturday highlighting the Cherokee during the Civil War.

From 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, area author Steve Cottrell will be present in the site's Visitor Center to sign copies of his book, "Civil War in the Indian Territory." Cottrell will also present a speech at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Appearing both days will be George and Diane Bernheimer, members of the Lecompton Reenactors and accomplished first person interpreters. During this performance, visitors will be able to meet the Rev. Thomas Johnson, the founder of the Shawnee Indian Mission, and his wife, Sarah, and will discover how they spent their last evening together on Jan. 2, 1865.

This event is made possible through the generous support of the City of Fort Scott Transient Guest Tax, along with the assistance of several FSNHS volunteers.

Frontier Days coincides with the 14th Annual Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 29. Entrance fees to the site and at other public lands across the country will be waived that day in celebration of the annual event. An entrance fee of $3 for visitors 16 years of age and older will apply on Sunday. Children 15 years of age and younger will be admitted free of charge, the fort statement said.

FSNHS is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. For more information about Frontier Days or to obtain a schedule of events, call the site at (620) 223-0310, or visit the fort Web site at www.nps.gov/fosc.