Reenactors gather in Fort Scott to bring Civil War to life

FORT SCOTT, KS. (KOAM) - History has come to life in Fort Scott. Walking through the Fort Scott National Historic Site , you might think you've stepped back in time.

An estimated 75+ volunteers have joined together to portray the site as it once was, a Civil War fort during the 1860s.

Some volunteers are committing to their role, planning to eat and sleep at the fort for the entire weekend.

“Of course, during the Civil War, it was a huge supply and hospital area. The area would have been full of tents, full of mule wagons, Teamsters supplies coming in and out, soldiers coming in and out," says Aaron Racine, a reenactor with the Holmes Brigade . He says the group has been coming to Fort Scott since 1986. "To be just a little fraction of that and recreate that is it's a lot of fun for us. And I think it's good for people to see to get an idea of what was going on here 150 years ago.”

Attendees could watch li ve demonstrations that help showcase life at the fort during the Civil War. From weapons and calvary demonstrations to showing camp life, visitors could get up close to history.

“You get to actually stand and talk to people. You get to see the world that they're wearing. You get to smell the horses in the stable. You get to smell that black powder here, the concussion of the cannons firing or the small arms, the muskets firing. It's a real visceral experience as opposed to I've read this in the book or I saw it on the screen. This is real,” says Carl Brenner, an organizer with the Fort Scott National Historic Site.

For organizers like Racine and Brenner, they say seeing people excited to engage with history is the best part.

“That's the whole reason we do it. I mean, we we enjoy it ourselves. Of course, But to get people engaged or to get them thinking about it and maybe plant that seed and a kid, that's going to be the next generation of historian or civil worry and actor. It's a get a good thing,” says Racine.

Civil War reenactments have been taking place at the historic site for more than 40 years. According organizers and participants, there are no plans to stop the beloved tradition anytime soon.

The Civil War experience will continue at the Fort Scott National Historic Site through Sunday, April 21st .

Entry to the site and demonstrations is free and open to the public.

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