To commemorate Lecompton's annual “Territorial Day” celebration, we're aiming to bring more attention to Territorial Kansas history, and the Bleeding Kansas conflict.
This authentic-minded living history contingent, headed up by the Croaker Mess and on behalf of Constitution Hall State Historic Site, will portray a camp of the Kansas Territorial Militia in 1856, which was made up primarily of pro-slavery supporting Missourians and Kansas settlers, though some of the organized companies were from other southern states, such as Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina.
Our portrayal will be the “Kickapoo Rangers”, a pro-slavery affiliated volunteer unit within the Kansas Territorial Militia, raised mainly from Atchison and Leavenworth counties, KS. The Kickapoo Rangers were stationed in and around the Territorial Capital, Lecompton, numerous times throughout 1855 and 1856. In September and October 1856, they were stationed here to help the US Regulars guard free-state militia prisoners that were arrested following the battle of Hickory Point, which will be our specific portrayal. From my knowledge, nobody has ever portrayed this unit for a living history program, so we'll be the first. Look for info on the impression on the page, it'll be a super simple one.
Other than a couple scheduled demonstrations on that Saturday, it’ll be a laid back LH event at a neat 1850’s location. We’ll be camped around the building used as the pro-slavery Democratic Party's headquarters while Lecompton was the capital, right along the Kansas River. Yes, we can absolutely use the building as well. The public event is only Saturday September 27th, but we can camp and hang out all weekend if we want. There likely won't be much or any public on Friday or Sunday, minus the random passerby.
Feel free to reach out to Eric Smallwood at Constitution Hall State Historic Site with any questions.
Also check out other Parties in Lecompton, Entertainment events in Lecompton.
