See and Do

October 1-3, 2026 The Gordon Parks Celebration is in honor of Fort Scott native Gordon Parks. This is an annual event that started in 2004, that celebrates the life, achievements, and contributions of Gordon Parks, internationally known photographer, filmmaker, writer and musician. The Celebrations brings in artists, speakers, programs and events that have enriched our community and world for all ages. 2026 GORDON PARKS CELEBRATION Schedule of Events Thursday, October 1, 2026 PHOTO EXHIBITS will be on display in the Gordon Parks Museum and the Lunt Lobby of the Ellis Family Fine Arts Center PHOTO CONTEST/EXHIBIT — Sponsored by Merl Humphrey Photography and Don Thompson Images, will be on display with the theme of “Giving a Voice to the Voiceless”. Winners will be announced at the Chamber Coffee, Thursday, Oct.1, 2026 POETRY CONTEST/EXHIBIT — Sponsored by Helen Townsend, Poet and Trabar and Associates, will be displayed with the theme of “Giving a Voice to the Voiceless”. Winners will be announced at the Chamber Coffee, Thursday, Oct.1, 2026, but presented at the Open Mic event on Saturday, Oct 3, 2026. SIGN DISPLAY & MURAL DISPLAY — Visit the Lowell Milken Center Unsung Heroes Park, 1 S. Main St. where Gordon Parks is featured on one of the signs. View also the mural of Gordon Parks at Riverfront Park, 400 N. National. Visit the Wayman Chapel AME Church Commemorative Park at 301 S. Lowman St. 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. — Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee at the Gordon Parks Museum. FREE. 9:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. — Showing of the Criterion Collection film The Learning Tree Directed by Gordon Parks. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center Theater. FREE. 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. — Registration open outside of the Museum. 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. — (Lunch and Learn) Clemmie Parks: Soldier, Leader, and Brother  This presentation honors the life of a remarkable man whose service, talent, and dedication left a lasting mark in Fort Scott and beyond. Clemmie Parks, the older brother to Gordon Parks, was a decorated World War I First Lieutenant. He embodied leadership and resilience in a time of profound challenge and inequality. Presented by Arnold Schofield, local Historian, Retired National Historic Site Interpreter and Administrator and 2024 Learning Tree Award recipient. The Lunch and Learn is free to attend, though pre-purchased sandwich wrap lunches are available for $12 each and must be ordered by Wednesday, Sept 30. Lunches can be purchased online at gordonparkscenter.org/events, by phone, or by mail. Attendees are also welcome to bring their own lunch and join us. Complimentary desserts and drinks will be provided. In the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. FREE to attend (except for lunch). 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. — Showing of the film Moments Without Proper Names Directed by Gordon Parks. In the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center Theater. FREE. 1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. — Guided Trolley Tour of Gordon Parks’ Fort Scott & The Learning Tree Film Scene Locations  Meet at the entrance of the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. See the places in Fort Scott that are part of Gordon Parks’ history. Fee: $10. https://www.gordonparkscenter.org/events or by phone or mail. Friday, October 2, 2026 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. — Registration open outside of the Museum. 10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. — Showing of the film David Parks-GI Diary-Vietnam Join David Parks, Vietnam War Veteran, Purple Heart recipient, and acclaimed multimedia artist, and son of Gordon Parks, for a special film showing of the Kansas Public Telecommunications Service film, David Parks GI Diary Vietnam. The film shares powerful gritty details of David Parks’ experience on the frontlines of the Vietnam War in this KPTS documentary. Following the screening, David Parks will participate in a short question-and-answer session with the audience. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center Theater. FREE. 11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. — A Conversation with 2026 Choice of Weapon Honorees, Victor Goines and Maryemma Graham. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center Theater. FREE. 12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. — (Lunch and Learn) Leadbelly and Irene: Heartbeat of the Musical Frontier Megan Felt, Program Director at the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, created and produced this short documentary on Huddie Ledbetter while she was a student at Uniontown High School. Through her research on the life of the pioneering blues singer, she discovered the profound impact African American music has had on the musical landscape and its lasting influence on American culture. The Lunch and Learn is free to attend, though pre-purchased sandwich wrap lunches are available for $12 each and must be ordered by Thursday, Oct 1. Lunches can be purchased online at gordonparkscenter.org/events, by phone, or by mail. Attendees are also welcome to bring their own lunch and join us. Complimentary desserts and drinks will be provided. In the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. FREE to attend (except for lunch). 1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. — Reflections on filming Leadbelly : Celebrating over 50 Years Join us for this great conversation with cast members and crew from the film Leadbelly, including 2019 and 2024 “Choice of Weapons Award” honorees, Karole Graham and Kokayi Ampah, along with David Parks, author and son of Gordon Parks. This special conversation will lead up to the showing of film Leadbelly. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center Theater. FREE. 1:45 p.m. – 3:55 p.m. — Showing of the film, Leadbelly Introduction by 2024 Choice of Weapons Honoree, Kokayi Ampah. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Theater. FREE. 8:00 p.m. — Celebration Dance Party With “Power Unlimited” Ft. Keith Marlo. Celebrate the night away to some of the best mixes of R&B and Soul from of the region’s best multitalented musicians and performers from Wichita, KS. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. Band starts at 8:00pm. Cash bar available. Join us at River Room. 3 W. Oak, all seats reserved. Fee: $25 each or $30 at the door. Tickets available either online https://www.gordonparkscenter.org/events, by phone or by mail. Supported in part by The Bourbon County Arts Council and Peerless Products, Inc. in Fort Scott, KS. Saturday,

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.

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

The Artificers Art & Entertainment Open Tuesday – Saturday 10:00AM – 5:00PM We are artists and craftsmen. We want to help you find beautiful and unique art for your home. The Artificers is a collection of fine artists and craftsmen. Our Gallery, Teaching Studio & Resident Artist Studio are housed within the walls of a beautiful 1890 Historic Queen Anne in Downtown Fort Scott. We want to help you find beautiful and unique art. Peruse through a gallery full of well appointed items for your home and office. We also teach! There is something for kids and adults alike at The Teaching Studio. We offer a variety of art classes and workshops, from experts, in their field right here in Fort Scott, Kansas. Check out our website and sign up for a class or schedule a private workshop for yourself or a group of friends. We are a working studio. Custom work can include natural woods, ceramic, glass, metal and more. Commission a sculpture from T.E. Freeman Studio or acrylic paintings from Kate Freeman Studio make a majestic statement in your home. (913) 574-7741 | hello@theartificers.com theartificers.com

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!