Society of Friends of Fort Hays
What We Do
Be a part of history as we help to preserve and interpret Historic Fort Hays, Kansas!.
The Society of Friends of Historic Fort Hays was organized in 1988 with the main purpose of assisting the Kansas Historical Society with the various projects and activities at Fort Hays. We have helped renovate one of the Junior Officers' Quarters, reconstructed the hospital well house and helped install new roofs on the Officers' Quarters, Blockhouse and Guardhouse. The most recent project was the construction and raising of an 85-foot reproduction of the parade ground flagpole and equipping it with 37-star flags to represent the flags flown over Fort Hays when it was established on this site in 1867. Society of Friends funding has also expanded the research library by over 200 volumes and added uniforms, leather gear, firearms, tents, and cooking equipment to the living history program.
Education is a high priority at Fort Hays and the Society of Friends has helped bring quality programs and activities to the museum including Steve Alexander, the foremost Custer living historian in the nation, and Kirk Shapland, an award-winning Buffalo Bill interpreter. Authors William Chalfant (Cheyennes and Horse Soldiers), Thomas Goodrich (Scalp Dance), Arlene Feldmann Jauken (The Moccasin Speaks), and Eugene Fleharty (Wild Animals and Settlers on the Plains) have all presented programs at Fort Hays thanks to the support of the Society of Friends. Our organization is a vital part of the "Young Troopers Camp" for children, "Historic Fort Hays Days" and "Christmas Past."
Current projects the Society of Friends of Historic Fort Hays is involved in, include reproducing another well house (this one behind the officers' quarters), constructing an outhouse, and installing an interactive exhibit panel in the Blockhouse.
It is an exciting time at Fort Hays and The Society of Friends of Historic Fort Hays is a dynamic and vital part. Join us and be a part of preserving the history of Fort Hays, Kansas.
To contact us:
Phone 785-625-6812
Fax 785-625-4785
Email thefort@ruraltel.net
