Film premiere to also launch Friends of FSNHS

The new Fort Scott National Historic Site interpretative film will be premiered by the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site Oct. 1 at the Liberty Theatre.

The Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site is made up of citizens who wish to assist the fort in marketing, promotion and fundraising at the local level. This group has been meeting for the past few months, and decided that to offer a premiere of this new interpretative film would be a great kickoff for their group.

According to Friends co-convener Reed Hartford, "Many of the units of the National Park Service have associated "Friends' groups which partner with the NPS staff acting as ambassadors to extend the presence and values of the park into the surrounding community by participating as volunteers, advocates, as well as conducting fundraising activities."

The group anticipates filing incorporation papers with the State of Kansas, and will seek recognition as a 501c3 not-for-profit organization. Thirty people who made gift of at least $30 to get the group off the ground became Founding Friends of Fort Scott NHS.

"We have had a good response in our initial mailing requesting Founding Friends memberships," membership chair Martha Scot said. "These are special memberships and this is the only time that the Founding Friend designation will be used. This is a limited-membership group for the first 100 people who have donated $30. "

Additional letters will be going out, but those who have not received a letter and wish to become a Founding Friend may send $30 along with name, address and e-mail address to Friends of Fort Scott NHS, P.O. Box 442, Fort Scott, Kan., 66701."

In addition to the premier of the interpretative film, there will be several other surprise presentations, a buffet dinner and door prizes.

For more information, contact Hartford at (620) 223-3944.