Oh, the irony! Ever since we started our learning of Civil War veterans
a few summers ago, I've been dying to go to the museum at Ft. Leavenworth. The thing that has held us back was getting access to the fort. I didn't want to have to go thru all the possible security. We finally broke down, picked up Gigi, and made our trip. It turns out that just a couple of weeks prior, the fort had changed their admittance from just showing drivers license, registration, and insurance to stopping at a visitor's center and submitting those documents as well as undergoing a background check. It was not a big deal even with that (took less than 10 minutes), but to think that it would have been easier and I put it off - *sigh*.
The Frontier Army museum was right on the edge of the historic fort area (we did take advantage of our fort pass and went further into the historic part - cool! Mookie loved looking at the old buildings). The museum is free and well worth the trip. They start you out with Lewis and Clark who explored the area and Fort Cavagnal which was an early French fort in the area, as well as some really cool early Ft. Leavenworth artifacts.
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| Shorty with Lewis & Clark |
The main exhibit area was made up of examples of firearms, military equipment, and vehicles used during different periods. It really reminded me of the Kansas National Guard museum in Topeka except with more finesse and just key artifacts. The interpretation guides for these were exceptional.
Mookie surprised me a bit with what she enjoyed. She took a big interest in some cannons and what was inscribed on them.
Shorty was intrigued by the large stage coach. He kept saying that the guy inside was moving. After a few laps and hearing that, I could almost see him move myself...
Bubby was thrilled to see a bust of one his favorite historical characters - Frederick Funston. He portrayed Funston in a Kansas characters show and tell a few years back at our homeschool coop :)
My biggest disappointment was not seeing anything meaty on the U.S. Colored Troops. I had assumed that since William Matthews, of the 1st Kansas Colored, was from Leavenworth prior to the war that there would be some emphasis on them. They did have items about the Buffalo Soldiers and we made sure to pay a visit to the Buffalo Soldier's monument while we were there.
The kids were very intrigued with Fort life and how self contained it was. It would be fun to go back when it wasn't so very cold outside. I think a trip to Ft. Riley is in our near future as well!
