on location: midwest O nancy wolens

n Jan. 29, celebrated 150 years of statehood. It was that day in 1861 when Kansas entered the Union as the 34th state. By this time the terri- tory had already been through the tri- als and tribulations of , a course of violent incidents Oinvolving anti-slavery activists and pro-slavery advocates. At issue was whether Kansas would enter the Union as a free or slave state; the vio- lence foreshadowed the Civil War. Throughout 2011 Kansas will hold a myriad of sesquicentennial events to honor its statehood. In ad- dition, the Sunflower State will re- member its struggles and triumphs during the Civil War because 2011 also is the sesquicentennial of the start of the four-year conflict that ripped apart a nation. Following is just a sampling of historical sites and events that may enhance group itineraries: Civil War on the Western Fron- tier, Lawrence, Aug. 12-21: Every year Lawrence hosts Civil War on the Western Frontier, a series of events held around the anniversary of Quantrill’s Raid. On Aug. 21, 1863, as the conflict over slavery continued, Confederate guerrilla William Quantrill and his raiders attacked Lawrence, killing hundreds and de- stroying the city. After the raid, Lawrence residents came together to bury their dead and rebuild the city. This year Lawrence will again commemorate its Civil War history through presentations, lectures and exhibits throughout Lawrence and Douglas County. The Lawrence Vis- itor Center presents “Lawrence: Free State Fortress,” a 25-minute docud- rama about Lawrence’s part in Bleed- ing Kansas and the Civil War. Kansas (785-865-4499, visitlawrence.com) Looks Back Civil War days in Kansas come alive during reenactments at Fort Scott.

48 April 2011 LeisureGroupTravel.com Obtain Kansas visitor guides and itineraries – and contact group- friendly suppliers directly – at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info

John Brown Museum, Osawatomie: At the Museum visitors can tour the cabin of Rev. Samuel Adair and his wife Florella, half-sister of abolitionist John Brown. The cabin Fort Scott National Historic Site preserves frontier military history. was a station on the Underground Railroad as well as John Brown’s head- Battle of Black Jack. Black Jack Battle- Visitors will be enlightened about the quarters. It’s furnished with Adair fam- field Park offers tours that examine the political struggles Kansas had in the ily belongings and has an assortment of territory bordering the battlefield as well 1850s. One of the more momentous Civil War weapons and items that tell as the function of the . In occasions occurred in 1857 when the the story of pioneer life and the 1856 honor of Kansas’ 150 years of statehood Lecompton Constitutional Government . The cabin sur- the park will stage a battle reenactment assembled in a second floor room and vived the battle, one of the largest bat- on June 2-4. (785-883-2106, blackjack- drafted a pro-slavery constitution as tles in a series of events known as battlefield.org) free-state and anti-slavery activists ral- Bleeding Kansas. The battle matched Kansas Museum of History, lied outside the building. Guests can see John Brown and his army against John Topeka: One of the main exhibits fo- the Lecompton Constitution and pe- Reid’s pro-slavery militia. On Sept. 17- cuses on the Civil War. Artifacts include ruse various exhibits on the Kansas ter- 18 the museum will host the Freedom John Brown’s pike, the actual knife-like ritorial government as well as free-state Festival, a historical event with first- weapon John Brown used in his fight and pro-slavery factions. (785-887-6520, person narratives, a reenactment of the against slavery, and the original sword kshs.org/portal_constitution_hall) Battle of Osawatomie, period craft and equipment from James Gillpatrick Mine Creek Battlefield, Pleasan- demonstrations, modern military dis- Blunt, free-state advocate and brigadier ton: On Oct. 25, 1864, about 2,800 plays and live music. (913-755-4384, general in the Civil War. In the special Union troops invaded and overthrew kshs.org/portal_john_brown) exhibits gallery this year, the 150 Things about 8,000 Confederates along the Black Jack Battlefield Park, I Love About Kansas will feature 150 banks of Mine Creek. This was one of Wellsville: On June 2, 1856 anti-slav- objects, images and documents that the largest artillery battles in the Civil ery activist John Brown led his merce- salute the state’s rich history over the War. Visitors can walk the 2.6-mile trail naries to attack a pro-slavery militia past century and a half. (785-272-8681, through the battlefield and then peruse along the Santa Fe Trail in the Kansas kshs.org/portal_museum) exhibits. (913-352-8899, kshs.org/por- Territory. This combat is known as the Constitution Hall, Lecompton: tal_mine_creek) Fort Scott National Historic Site, Fort Scott: Established by the U.S. Army from 1842-1853, Fort Scott is yet another attraction where visitors are immersed in the history of Bleed- ing Kansas and the Civil War. The site hosts living history presentations and reenactments of military training activities. (620-223-0310, nps.gov/- fosc) LGT

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE Read Nancy Wolens’ article on Kansas’ Frontier Military Scenic Byway. Log on to http://leisuregrouptravel- .com/?p=22834. Civil War itineraries in Kansas might include Black Jack Battlefield Park.

LeisureGroupTravel.com April 2011 49