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Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park, located six miles southeast of Burwell, will celebrate its sesquicentennial, Aug. 31 and Sept. 1. The U.S. Army cavalry outpost was active from 1874 to 1881. Several original structures remain on the grounds.
Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park, southeast of Burwell in Valley County, is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the building of the fort with a special event Aug. 31 and Sept. 1.
In September 1874, U.S. military soldiers and hired civilian workers began construction on an infantry outpost on the edge of the Sandhills. Now, Fort Hartsuff's original and reconstructed buildings stand as one of the most complete examples of forts from the Plains Indian Wars. With lime/concrete buildings, wide verandas and white picket fences, Fort Hartsuff has been called one of the prettiest posts on the plains.
The celebration will include ongoing 1870s military and civilian reenactments and demonstrations, speakers, kids' activities, food vendors and more.
The front desk, gift shop and historical buildings will be open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Aug. 31 and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 1.
A park entry permit is required of each vehicle entering the park.
The schedule of events includes:
Saturday, Aug. 31
10:30-11:30 a.m. – Dr. Jean Lukesh: "Trooper" Lee Herron and Fort Hartsuff
11:30 a.m.-noon – Kids' military drill
Noon-12:30 p.m. – Alan Bartels: 100 Things to Do in the Sandhills Before You Die
1-2 p.m. – Kimberlee Berezuk: "Daughters of Mars," Women with the Frontier Army 1870
3-4 p.m. – Humanities Nebraska presents Jerome Kills Small: Songs and Dances of the Lakota
4-9 p.m. – Beer and Wine Garden, Scratchtown Brewing Company and Niobrara Valley Vineyards
5-6 p.m. – Humanities Nebraska presents Jeff Barnes: Forts of Nebraska
6:30-7:30 p.m. – Artillery demonstration and evening parade
8-9 p.m. – Candlelight tour
9-10 p.m. – Artillery demonstration – night shoot
Sunday, Sept. 1
10:30-11:30 a.m. – Humanities Nebraska presents Jeff Barnes: Forts of Nebraska
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Humanities Nebraska presents Jerome Kills Small: Trade Between the Lakota Sioux and Early White Traders
12:30-1:30 p.m. – Dr. Jean Lukesh: "Trooper" Lee Herron and Fort Hartsuff
2-3 p.m. – Garry Wells: The Early Military Occupation of the North Loup Valley
3-4 p.m. – 150th dedication ceremony, artillery demonstration and evening parade.
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