Historic site has successful weekend of activities

Lucy Marquardt, a summer intern at the Fort, demonstrates the fine art of sitting in a hoop skirt on Saturday. (Ruth Campbell/Tribune)

Fort Scott National Historic Site had a full slate of activities this past weekend attended by about 600 people, Ranger Barak Geertsen said.

Festivities included artillery firings, guided tours, laundress and mounted demonstrations, presentations on women's roles during the Civil War, music of the period and Victorian customs, among other things.

Dressed in period garb, Lucy Marquardt, a summer intern at the site, offered a program on women's roles throughout the Fort's history. She said her clothing was provided by the Fort, but she does make her own. A recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, her degree is in broadfield social studies and she plans to attend graduate school to round out a history degree.

That's why she chose this summer internship, so she could help out with FSNHS's programs. "I love working here at the Fort. As a student, it's a great, supportive environment. There's a lot of interesting history. I encourage people to come out," Marquardt said, adding she's been reenacting for two years. "Nineteenth century history is definitely a passion. ... I didn't know much about Bleeding Kansas, the western frontier or the permanent Indian frontier."

She's also enjoyed being in Fort Scott.

"It's a lot like my hometown -- the size. It's been nice just to be reminded of home," said Marquardt, who is from Tomah, Wis.

Daryl and Tobey Johnson of Blytheville, Ark., and John and Diane Shipley of Steele, Mo., had never been to the Fort before Monday. The Johnsons take a trip each summer to the east or west coast. This was just a short jaunt.

"The town is so quaint, not anything like I expected. It's Kansas' best-kept secret," Johnson said.

The Fort has hosted Memorial Day activities for at least 30 years. FSNHS became a historic site in 1978 and officially opened in 1979.