Fort Hartsuff to celebrate 150 years

Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park, southeast of Burwell in Valley County, is celebrating the 150^th anniversary of the building of the fort with a special event Aug. 31-Sept. 1.

In September of 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.-10 p.m. Aug. 31 and 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sept. 1.

A park entry permit is required of each vehicle entering the park. Event admission is $4 for visitors ages 13 years and up and $1 for ages 3-12.

The schedule:

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

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