Fort Larned National Historic Site is celebrating our 150th anniversary with special events and commemorations throughout 2009.

As the best preserved Indian Wars military post on the Santa Fe Trail, Fort Larned is one of the most compelling places to tell the story of the nation's westward expansion, a turbulent era of two cultures fighting for control of the West. For the Plains Indians, it is a story of fighting for homelands in the face of overwhelming numbers and superior weapons. For the military, it is a tale of hard fought battles and skirmishes. Some were won, others were lost, but in the end it's a tale of "Winning the West."

Below is a list of some of the events planned throughout the year. Click here for an updated, printable schdule.  

The schedule will be updated regularly with additional information so please check back often.

Hope to see you out to help us celebrate!

Fort Larned 150th Anniversary Events Schedule

Saturday, May 2nd - Santa Fe Trail Days Activities
Santa Fe Trail Day living history presentations and garrison activities.
Fort Riley U.S. Army Band in City Parade and in Concert at Fort Larned.

Memorial Weekend Events

Click here for a printable Memorial Weekend Schedule of Events

Highlights include:

Saturday, May 23rd - 1867 Hancock Expedition Highlighted
Artillery, Cavalry and Infantry demonstrations.
"George Custer" visits Fort Larned.
Fort Riley Commanding General's Mounted Color Guard.
Cavalry demonstrations and horse soldier camp.
Evening program with historic music and dance.

Sunday, May 24th - Cheyenne and Sioux Indian Village Site Activities
Native American guest speakers and village life demonstrations.
Meeting of the Indians and the Army at Confrontation Hill.
Guided walking tours of the village site.

Independence Day Weekend Events

Highlights include:

Friday and Saturday, July 3rd & 4th - Militia Weekend
Recoginition of volunteer units that served at Fort Larned.
Medal of Honor Program.
21st century military units with equipment displays and demonstrations.
Operational Forces, Air Operations and Disaster Response Programs.
Garrison living history activities.

Labor Day Weekend Events
Saturday - Monday, September 5th - 7th

Highlights include;

Historic Mail Station cancellation stamp provided by the U.S. Postal Service.
Frontier/Santa Fe Trail Art Exhibit.
Garrison living history and Dinner with Amateur Theatre performance.
Buffalo Soldier Cavalry Drill and Galvanized Yankee Programs.

Saturday, September 19th at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
Memorial Service and Cemetery Mounument Dedication to recognize 65 Fort Larned soldiers reinterred there in 1888.
Cavalry and Infantry color guards, Bugler, Chaplain and Congressman Moran invited.

Saturday, October 10th
Special programs at Larned's Little Red House and Camp Sibley.
Ladies fashion style show "Fort to Frizzell" at the Community Center.
Buffalo Soldier and Living History programs.
Special Evening Candlelight Tour "The History of Fort Larned 1859 - 2009".

Sunday, October 11th
*Rededication Ceremony with Special Guest Speakers*
Re-enactment of Cavalry establishing Fort Larned at the mail station site.
Rededication of the original Post Cemetery, 3rd Infantry Memorial Marker.
Military Flyover.
Recognition of numerous Special Contributors to the Fort throughout history.
Roll Call and Presentation of Flags of military units that served at Fort Larned.
150 round salute for the Fort's 150 years.
Garrison Artillery, Cavalry and Infantry units parade to a Formal Retreat.