See and Do

Fort Scott National Historic Site History Sunday – Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM Wednesday – Thursday: Closed Friday – Saturday: 8:30 AM-4:30 PM Fort Scott National Historic Site in the heart of historic downtown Fort Scott tells the story of America growing up. When the fort was established in 1842, the nation was still young and confined largely to the area east of the Mississippi River. Yet within a few years, Fort Scott’s soldiers became involved in events that would lead to tremendous spurts of growth and expansion. As the nation developed, tensions over slavery led to the conflict and turmoil of “Bleeding Kansas” and the Civil War. Fort Scott’s story takes you through these years of crisis and beyond to the time when the United States emerged as a united, transcontinental union. From 1842 to 1873, the buildings of Fort Scott stood witness to epic events that helped shape the country. In the years after the army left, the City of Fort Scott thrived and expanded. The old fort buidlings continued to serve as residences and commercial properties for many years. Eventually some were destroyed by fire, while others were torn down for new structures. In the 1950s a group of Fort Scott’s history-minded citizens, proud of their town’s military origins, argued for restoring the fort to its late 1840s appearance to attract visitors and commemorate its nationally significant story. Federal funding paved the way for the fort’s rebirth. Archaeological investigations determined the location of missing buildings. Structures not original were torn down, while most historic buildings and features were restored or reconstructed. In 1978 it became a national historic site. Today, Fort Scott’s buildings endure as memorials to the legacy of a young and vibrant America. Fort Scott National Historic Site commemorates the Civil War and how it shaped our country by presenting the Annual Spring Civil War Encampment!  NHS Events Calender

History Open Monday – Friday 8AM – 5PM Gordon Parks Museum’s mission is to honor the life and work of Gordon Parks, internationally-known photographer, filmmaker, writer, and musician; and to use his remarkable life story to teach about artistic creativity, cultural awareness, and the role of diversity in our lives. After Gordon Parks attended the first ever Gordon Parks Celebration in 2004, he gifted the Gordon Parks Center with 30 of his photographs. This spectacular group includes many of his iconic works such as American Gothic, Tuskegee Airmen, Flavio, Ali Sweating, Ingrid Bergman on Stromboli and many others. In 2006, after his death, his personal effects and other memorabilia, per Gordon’s wishes, were given to the Museum. This valuable collection included many of his awards and medals, personal photos, paintings and drawings of Gordon, plaques, certificates, diplomas and honorary doctorates, selected books and articles, clothing, record player, tennis racquet, magazine articles, his collection of Life magazines and much more. Since that time, more gifts have been given by his family and friends such as his camera, gifted by his daughter Toni Parks; his film camera and tripod, donated by his son David Parks; a collection of photographs of Gordon donated by Patricia DuBose Duncan, and much more. These gifts have made this collection substantive and significant and we are proud of Gordon’s faith in us to preserve and protect his legacy. The Gordon Parks Museum/Center is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. during the regular school year. It may also be opened on the weekend for special tours. Please call before you visit to make sure the Museum is open, as it is closed from time to time for meetings, travel, etc. at 620.223.2700 ext. 5850. The Gordon Parks Museum hosts a celebration each year for “The Learning Tree.” The museum also hosts a number of other annual events including Martin Luther King, Jr. Day activities, and the Gordon Parks Celebration. This years celebration will be held October 6th-8th, honoring Adger Cowans and William Rhoden.

Gather family and friends to see the latest Hollywood releases at the Fort Cinema! Adventure, action, drama, comedy, children’s, thrillers, horror, romantic comedies, and more! Interested in renting a theater for a private party? Message our FB page for more details. Home of Tiger Ice, your favorite summer season cool treat! Love theater popcorn? Get a to-go bucket! Box Office 620-223-3366 Showtimes 620-223-0033 224 W. 18th Fort Scott KS 66701Open 30 minutes before start of first show. Web: https://www.fortcinema.com Social: https://www.facebook.com/FortCinema3

Home of the Fort Scott Hurricanes Swim Team, and to a summertime full of fun, it’s the Fort Scott Aquatic Center. Slides, diving boards, and a play area for the smaller kids. The Fort Scot Aquatic Center is the place to beat the heat during the summer! The Aquatic Center is available for private parties too!

Our dairy farm has been in operation since the late 1940’s.  Cows have been milked off on on throughout those years but have been continuously milking since January of 1978. In the late 1940’s, William Edward and Florence Davis, moved to southeast Kansas.  They had lived in Hutchinson, Kansas, for many years and decided it was time for a move.  They chose a little spot near Hiattville.  They had six kids and transitioning from the town to the country was not an easy task.  The first dairy herd belonged to one of Ed’s daughters, Lola Mae.  She had married a gentleman from the Kingman area and they started out milking a registered Ayrshire herd.

n 1997, a year after David Killion formed the Kansas City 4WD Association, he realized the growing need for recreation land in the Kansas City area. His search for a solution then began. Many options were explored including developing a relationship with land owners to be able to use their land for recreation, leasing land, and buying land. David’s research led him to a federal grant that was available through the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks, for developing recreational trails. It was initially called the TEA 21 program and is more commonly know as the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). These monies are collected from a portion of gasoline taxes to provide opportunities to enhance existing parks and trail systems or develop new parks and trail systems. Generally the funds go to state and local parks. David was the first non-governmental Kansas entity to ever apply for this grant money. The grant is an 80% reimbursable grant. David was responsible for aligning up front financing and developing sponsorship. Many clubs and individuals put in many hours helping develop the park that made up our 20% match. David filed the application for the RTP Grant in 2001. Once David received the grant approval in December 2001, he then called together several outdoor enthusiasts to create the KANROCKS Recreation Association Board of Directors. At this point the planning and land search began. After two years of intense planning, developing strategy, and looking for the perfect piece of land, the group was able to obtain the land to develop Kansas Rocks Recreation Park in April 2003. The park opened to the public on August 2, 2003 and the Grand Opening was held on August 30, 2003 (Labor Day Weekend). We have a great trail system developed to include trails for beginning and experienced outdoor enthusiasts. Kanrocks is a 501(c)(3) not for profit business. The future of the park includes developing new trails and offering camping facilities. The usage fees for the park go toward maintenance, future development, improvements, and expansion. We hope you enjoy and support Kansas Rocks Recreation Park and adhere to pack-in/pack-out and tread lightly philosophies.