It is once again time for Fort Gibson Historic Site's annual living history weekend! This year we are teaming up with the town of Fort Gibson to bring back Old Fort Days. Keep reading for details and how you can join in.
Admission for adults is $7.00, seniors 62 or older are $5.00, students 6-18 are $4.00, and children 5 and under are free.
This year, visitors can expect to see the following programs and activities:
19th Century Soldiers- A soldier started his day at 6:00am which involved drill, marching, more drilling and camp policing before weapons inspection followed by more drilling. Visitors to this station can learn the details of drill, training, weaponry, and other activities 19th century soldiers were expected to excel at.
Post Jail- Learn about the disciplinary measures a soldier would face if they broke military law as well as a few methods of punishment available on a 19th century post.
Keelboat- This method of getting goods from point A to B was developed in the late 18th century. Having a flatter bottom, keelboats were capable of navigating river travel without getting stuck in the shallower waters of this region and could be powered by sail, rowing, or polling. A boatman will be on hand to discuss communication methods such as use of a signal cannon, the different ways the keelboat was powered, and what types of supplies it would have brought to the post.
Post Garden- Many posts maintained a garden to help soldiers supplement their rations. The fort garden is a third scale replica planted with herbs and veggies that were available to the people in the 19th century.
Mess Hall- Soldiers maintained many duties not limited to marching and conducting contact missions on the plains. They were also responsible for taking their turn in the maintenance of daily life on the post, including keeping everyone fed. The mess hall is where soldiers and post staff took their meals and those on Kitchen duty worked to prepare foods. Visitors to this station can chat with the post cooks as they use 19th century equipment, methods and recipes to prepare food for the folks serving on post.
Pre-Civil War Military Women- A lot of work was expected of 19th century post staff and the first women employed by the United States military were no exception. Visitors to this station can expect to see methods of maintaining clothing on a frontier post as well as discussions of what women on a military pay roll were entitled to, and just why laundresses were in such high demand.
Civil War Military Women- Visitors to this station can expect to learn the impact of women in the field of military medical hygiene who were instrumental in development of the Sanitation Commission.
Sutler Store- The Fort Gibson sutlery was owned and operated by JJ Nicks and his wife Sally. Upon the death of Nicks, Sally became what we believe is the first woman with a military contract to run a sutlery. At this station, visitors will learn how business was conducted between the soldiers and local civilian population, the supplies sutlers provided, local trade with civilians and soldiers, and how Fort Gibson received goods from St. Louis and New Orleans by keelboat and steamship.
Bake house- Bread was an important staple for soldiers on any post. The oven in this bakehouse was in constant production to provide the garrison with rations of bread and hardtack. Here visitors will learn the process of bread preparation and the complicated operations of an 1860s bake oven.
1870s Hospital Visitor Center- Visitors to the 1870s Hospital can tour exhibits and displays of what was a 19th century state-of-the-art medical facility. Learn about the evolution of medicine as well as health care on the site and don’t forget to shop our Fort Gibson Historic Site gift shop where we offer a wide array of book, toys, 19th century replica items, 19th century style sweets, and more!
Stay tuned to this page for updates as new stations and information is added.
You may also like the following events from Fort Gibson Historic Site:
Also check out other
Nonprofit events in Fort Gibson,
Sports events in Fort Gibson,
Workshops in Fort Gibson.
