Fort Larned rolling out history as part of Labor Day event

Labor Day weekend traditionally signals the end of summer. Bring your summer fun to a historic close with a weekend of fun and learning at Fort Larned’s Labor Day Weekend Living History Event.  

Volunteers and staff will once again bring Fort Larned, Kansas, to life during the Labor Day Weekend living history event. Get a glimpse into the life of a frontier soldier with rifle and artillery firing demonstrations, and their life in the army. You can also visit with officers’ wives, as well as watch the post blacksmith use a forge and anvil to transform iron into everyday objects.  

Here is the schedule of events for all three days.  

Saturday

10 a.m., blacksmithing demonstration;    

11 a.m., Steadfast Springfields, small arms firing demonstration with Springfield rifles from the 1860s and 1870s;    

1 p.m., Ladies of Officers’ Row;   

2 p.m., Howitzer Hop, artillery firing demonstration with a Mountain Howitzer and Instant Artillery crew;  

3 p.m., Hilt and Blade – swords at Fort Larned and their uses; and   

4:30 p.m., Retreat Ceremony.    

Sunday

10 a.m., blacksmithing demonstration;    

11 a.m., Steadfast Springfields, small arms firing demonstration with Springfield rifles from the 1860s and 1870s;    

1 p.m., Ladies of Officers’ Row;   

2 p.m., Howitzer Hop, artillery firing demonstration with a Mountain Howitzer and Instant Artillery crew;  

3 p.m., Footsteps, live recording of Fort Larned’s podcast — we’d love to hear from you; and  

4 p.m., Retreat Ceremony.  

Monday

10 a.m., blacksmithing demonstration;    

11 a.m., Steadfast Springfields, small arms firing demonstration with Springfield rifles from the 1860s and 1870s;    

1 p.m., Ladies of Officers’ Row;   

2 p.m., Howitzer Hop, artillery firing demonstration with a Mountain Howitzer and Instant Artillery crew; and

4:30 p.m., Retreat Ceremony.

Fort Larned National Historic Site is located 6 miles west of Larned on Kansas Highway 156. You can information to plan a visit on our website: www.nps.gov/fols, by calling 620-285-6911, or emailing [email protected]. For information on area tourism partners, lodging, dining, and community services go to www.larnedks.org or call (620) 285-6916.