There's much to see here. Look below and learn all there is to know about upcoming events. Be sure to check back often for updates.
Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site--http://www.nps.gov/beol/planyourvisit/calendar.htm
Fort Larned National Historic Site -- http://www.nps.gov/fols/planyourvisit/calendar.htm
Fort Union National Monument -- http://www.nps.gov/foun/planyourvisit/calendar.htm
Pecos National Historic Park -- http://www.nps.gov/peco/planyourvisit/index.htm
Dodge City/Ft. Dodge/Cimarron Chapter presents weekly digital posts about the markers located in Ford & Gray Counties, KS. Posts can be found @santafetrail1821 or on Pinterest at: https://www.pinterest.com/santafetrail1/dodge-city-chapter-sft-markers/
Entry information and rules can be found at www2021SantaFeTrailKansas.com. For more information contact Linda Colle: Phone: 620-241-8719, Email: quivira.sfta@gmail.com
200th Passport Activity (for McPherson, Rice & Barton Counties in Kansas). Pick up the "Passport Book" at your local museum or print one out online at www.2021SantaFeTrailKansas.com. Once you visit all the sites and collect the stamps, visit one of the following museums - the McPherson Museum in McPherson, KS; the Coronado Quivira Museum in Lyons, KS; or the Barton County Historical Museum in Great Bend, KS - to have your book verified and enter the drawing for the Grand Prize of $200. For more information: Linda Colle, Phone: 620-241-8719, Email: quivira.sfta@gmail.com
Coronado Quivira Museum, 105 W. Lyon St., Lyons, KS. Tuesday – Friday, 10:00am – 4:00pm, Saturday 10:00am – 1:00pm. Closed Sunday and Monday. Visit www.2021SantaFeTrailKansas.com for more information. This will be live and on ZOOM. Information for ZOOM program will be posted to the website or FaceBook @200thSantaFeTrailKansas approximately 3 days prior to the program.
Displays of trade goods and supplies that would be included during the years of the Santa Fe National Historic Trail. Enjoy the history of the transport of the goods up the Missouri River by steamboat to Franklin, MO and then loaded onto wagons for the trek down the Trail.
Contact info: Mike Dickey, Site Superintendent, or Cindy Imhoff, Interpretive Resource Specialist at the site: 660-837-3330 or Arrow Rock State Historic Site | Missouri State Parks (mostateparks.com)
The 1940 Hollywood movie, The Santa Fe Trail, will be shown at McPherson Opera House, 219 S. Main, McPherson, KS on Saturday, May 15, 2 p.m. The McPherson Opera House is a fabulous place to watch a movie! Get the best popcorn in the state! Free admission, thanks to a grant from McPherson County Community Foundation with additional funding by McPherson Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Near Fort Dodge, KS. For more information, contact: 9pwinger@gmail.com
At noon, following the DAR Wreath Laying Ceremony, the Dodge City/Fort Dodge/Cimarron Chapter-SFTA meeting and program will be held at the Dodge House, 2408 W. Wyatt Earp Blvd., Dodge City, KS. Lunch will be available on your own; a program will be presented by Deb Goodrich, Santa Fe Trail Association Publicity/200th Chair.
Jeff Davidson kicks off the Main Street Sterling Summer Concert Series, with a musical history of the Santa Fe Trail and brings to life the distance, danger, opportunity, and magic of Trail travel. At Studio 96, 121 S. Broadway, Sterling KS. www.2021SantaFeTrailKansas.com
Jim Gray, noted historian and writer, commemorates the trail that connected the Smoky Hill Trail to Cow Creek Crossing on the Santa Fe Trail and provides a history of the route that passed by the location of present-day Geneseo, KS. The program will be at the Geneseo City Museum, 907 Silber Ave., Geneseo, KS. Events will include reenactors representing the hunting camp of Smoky Hill Thompson, a local frontiersman, Kansas frontier music by Zerf (Dave Zerfas), along with a Camp stew and biscuits feed. For more information: Linda Colle, Phone: 620-241-8719, Email: quivira.sfta@gmail.com or www.santafetrail2021.com
Held on the first Saturday in June, the day recognizes all the incredible benefits federal, state and local trails provide for recreation, exposure to nature and experiencing historic trails. Events held throughout the United States help promote awareness of the wide variety of services the trails systems offer. The day encourages people to discover their local trails and share their excitement for the outdoors. Various events observed nationally. See, https://americanhiking.org/national-trails-day/ for more information.
Douglas County Chapter-SFTA presents: Celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Santa Fe Trail with fun family activities out at Black Jack Cabin Roadside Park, the Black Jack Battlefield and in Downtown Baldwin City. Shuttle buses will run from the Baldwin City High School (415 Eisenhower St.) downtown, out to the Trail Park, and the Battlefield and back to the High School from 10am-4pm.
At the Trail Park (Ivan Boyd Memorial Prairie Preserve):
- New walking trail showcasing some of the best Santa Fe Trail ruts along the entire trail length
- Covered wagon replica
- Black Jack Cabin pioneer artifacts on display
- First person reenactment of Ezekiel Williams
- Archaeological display of artifacts found during the project
- Dedication of new hiking trail and exhibits at Black Jack Park & Ivan Boyd Prairie Preserve at 2:00 pm with speakers from the National Park Service, the Santa Fe Trail Association, and Kansas Department of Transportation, Douglas County, and Baldwin City.
At Black Jack Battlefield and Nature Park
- Battlefield walk with John Brown and Henry Pate
- Robert Hall Pearson Farmstead home
- Nature trails to explore
Downtown Baldwin City:
- Information, National Park Service trail maps, historic games, and toys in Sullivan Square
- Authentic stage coach on display
- Horse and buggy rides (limited availability) from 10am-12pm
- Historic displays at the Lumberyard Arts Center and Baldwin City Library
- Shop, eat, play at downtown stores and restaurants
Old Castle Museum: 515 Fifth Street. Open 10:00 am until 5:00 pm
For more information on these events please contact Roger Boyd, President, Douglas County Chapter at 785-424-0595.
A DAR wreath laying ceremony will take place at the Santa Fe Trail marker at 1:45 pm at the stone in downtown New Franklin. After the wreath laying, there will be a presentation by Tim Williams, 5th great-grandson of Ezekiel Williams. Refreshments will be served. For more information on these events contact: Marty Ferry mhferry@yahoo.com or 660-537-0670.
“Ride into History Camp.” Barton County Historical Museum, 85 U.S. 281, Great Bend, KS. Learn to be a Historical Performer! Ride into History will share their expertise on becoming a historical performer in a week-long camp. Create a historic persona of someone from the period of the Santa Fe Trail and “become” that person! On Friday evening performance of characters created will be shared with the public. Registration is required -- opens April 1, 2021. $50 Fee, Scholarships Available. Class size is limited to 20 at each location. www.2021SantaFeTrailKansas.com
Evening Program of “Ride Into History” Historical Performances; open to Public. Barton County Historical Museum, 85 U.S. 281, Great Bend, KS. For more information: Linda Colle, Phone: 620-241-8719, Email: quivira.sfta@gmail.com or www.2021SantaFeTrailKansas.com
Michael Martin Murphey will be in concert in Council Grove, Kansas, on June 11. Mr. Murphey was selected as the honorary Chair of Santa Fe Trail 200 in October 2019. Murphey's performance will be the first event of the Council Grove's Santa Fe Trail 200 series of events commemorating the SFT bicentennial. Murphey's concert will start at 7:30pm in the new Amphitheater at Riverwalk Park. Tickets are $20 and are available at EventBrite on the Council Grove event website www.santafetrail200.com or on FaceBook at Santa Fe Trail 200. For more information: 620-767-3022 or sft200cg@gmail.com.
The 2021 Signature Event will take place on North Lakeview Pasture near Council Grove in Morris County, Kansas. For more information and to order tickets: https://symphonyintheflinthills.org/
A re-creation of the mountain man era, pre-1840s, on the Santa Fe Trail. Hosted by the NRA Whittington Center, Raton, NM. For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/sftrendezvous/ or contact Joe Kierst at htowngogs@gmail.com or 575-425-5433.
“Ride into History Camp,” Rice County, KS. K-State Research and Extension Bldg,, 701 E. Main, Lyons, KS. Learn to be a Historical Performer! Ride into History will share their expertise on becoming a historical performer in a week-long camp. Create a historic persona of someone from the period of the Santa Fe Trail and “become” that person! On Friday evening performance of characters created will be shared with the public. Registration is required -- opens April 1, 2021. $50 Fee, Scholarships Available. Class size is limited to 20 at each location. www.2021SantaFeTrailKansas.com
Historical Performances; open to Public. K-State Research and Extension Bldg, 701 E. Main, Lyons, KS. For more information contact Linda Colle: Phone: 620-241-8719, Email: quivira.sfta@gmail.com or www.2021SantaFeTrailKansas.com
Cimarron Heritage Center, located at 1300 N Cimarron Ave., will be celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Santa fe Trail with a tour across Cimarron County visiting the sites along the Santa Fe Trail. Friday June 18, 2021, we will meet at the museum at 7:00am. Buses will leave promptly at 8:00am. We will arrive back at the museum for lunch (there will be a fee of $10.00 for lunch). Approximately at 1:00pm we will head back on the tour to more sites. No babies or dogs allowed. Some walking will be required so plan accordingly. RSVP is required: 580-544-3479. We will need count of your party and a phone number. Cut off date will be June 12.
Fort Union Days
This year's annual living history event will highlight the incredible impact of the Santa Fe Trail on the history of a young United States, and the subsequent changes it brought to the west. No fees or reservations needed. All day event. Fort Union National Monument is located in the Northeastern portion of the state of New Mexico. 8 miles off of Interstate-25 on State Highway NM 161. Take exit 366 off the interstate. https://www.nps.gov/foun/index.htm
“Ride into History Camp.” McPherson Museum, 1111 E. Kansas Ave., McPherson, KS. Learn to be a Historical Performer! Ride into History will share their expertise on becoming a historical performer in a week-long camp. Create a historic persona of someone from the period of the Santa Fe Trail and “become” that person! On Friday evening performance of characters created will be shared with the public. Registration is required -- opens April 1, 2021. $50 Fee, Scholarships Available. Class size is limited to 20 at each location. www.2021SantaFeTrailKansas.com
Historical Performances; open to Public. McPherson Museum, 1111 E. Kansas Ave., McPherson, KS. For more information: Linda Colle, Phone: 620-241-8719, Email: quivira.sfta@gmail.com or www.2021SantaFeTrailKansas.com
120 E. Mill Street, Lindsborg, KS, “Mountain Men on the Santa Fe Trail,” including:
All events at the Old Mill Museum, 120 E. Mill Street, Lindsborg, KS. For more information: Linda Colle, Phone: 620-241-8719, Email: quivira.sfta@gmail.com or www.2021SantaFeTrailKansas.com
“200 Years on the Santa Fe Trail!” Parade route: south on Broadway from Washington St. to Garfield St., Sterling, KS. For more information: Linda Colle, Phone: 620-241-8719, Email: quivira.sfta@gmail.com or www.2021SantaFeTrailKansas.com
Santa Fe Trail Theme, Celebration Centre, 1108 U.S. Highway 56, Lyons, KS www.2021SantaFeTrailKansas.com
Enjoy a weekend of family entertainment with old west reenactments, art, poetry, and trail "grub." For more information contact the Council Grove/Morris County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism at 620.767.5413 or www.santafetrail200.com
"Lewis and Papa: Adventure on the Santa Fe Trail," by Barbara Joosse (pages of a story are posted through the park; participants read the story as they follow the “Story Walk.”) Story Walk hosted by the Moundridge Public Library and will be posted in the Moundridge City Park on Cole Street, 24/7 for two weeks. www.2021SantaFeTrailKansas.com
Land of Enchantment: Memoirs of Marian Russell Along the Santa Fe Trail. Moundridge Public Library, 220 S. Christian Ave., Moundridge, KS www.2021SantaFeTrailKansas.com Library phone: 620-345-6355
All the Stars in the Sky. Moundridge Public Library, 220 S. Christian Ave., Moundridge, KS www.2021SantaFeTrailKansas.com Library phone: 620-345-6355
Eastern McPherson County & Marion County Santa Fe Trail Days at the McPherson Museum, 1111 E. Kansas Ave., McPherson, KS.
For more information: Linda Colle, Phone: 620-241-8719, Email: quivira.sfta@gmail.com or www.2021SantaFeTrailKansas.com
Galva, KS
Featuring the special Santa Fe Trail mural created by Barb Bland on display inside
the restaurant.
*Open for Breakfast at 7:00 am
*Children’s covered wagon rides, Root Beer Floats, fresh squeezed lemonade,
kettle corn 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
*Lunch served from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
9:00am-4:00pm: Santa Fe Trail Days Events at Running Turkey Creek, a campsite on the Santa Fe Trail, 1 mile east and 2 miles south of Galva, KS on 22nd Ave, just before Iron Horse Road. Sponsored by the Galva Museum and made possible by a grant from the
McPherson County Community Foundation. Featuring:
Canton, KS
· Trail Guide to Santa Fe Trail sites
Marion County, KS
www.2021SantaFeTrailKansas.com or quivira.sfta@gmail.com or 620-241-8719.
The American Solar Challenge is a competition to design, build, and drive solar-powered cars in a cross-country time/distance rally event. Teams compete between multiple cities across the country. The event has had over two decades of organized events in North America. In 2021, in observance of the Santa Fe Trail 200th the challenge will start in Independence, MO and end in Santa Fe, NM. https://www.americansolarchallenge.org/ For more information, contact: jessica_ostfeld@partner.nps.gov
For information concerning events see: https://missouri2021.org/events-200/
Programs will focus on life on the Santa Fe Trail at the sites of Camp Grierson, Stone Corral Swanson’s Swales and Fry’s Ruts.
Directions:
· From the north: Follow the signs south on Plum/31st Avenue from Highway 56 (1 mile west of Windom, KS)
· From the south: Go north from Hutchinson Kansas on Plum Street (31stAvenue) approximately 15 miles
· Swanson’s Swales is ¾ miles north of Avenue P Camp Grierson is about 2/3 mile west on Avenue P. Fry Ruts are 1/1/2 miles west on Avenue P.
For more information: www.2021SantaFeTrailKansas.com or quivira.sfta@gmail.com or 620-241-8719.
Events to be held at Council Oak Park, Council Grove, KS. Activities and times to be determined. www.santafetrail200.com
Program: "Infantry Soldier of the 1860s," presented by Rex Abrahams. Volunteer at Fort Larned NHS, at the Galva Fire Station, 300 S. Main, Galva, KS. For more information: www.2021SantaFeTrailKansas.com or quivira.sfta@gmail.com or 620-241-8719.
"Have Donkey - Will Travel!" Mr. Les Vilda will be telling us about his two trips down the Santa Fe Trail with his donkey in the 1980s. Mr. Vilda is a most entertaining speaker. This event will be at the South Howard County Museum, Main Street, New Franklin, MO. The public is invited. For more information contact: Marty Ferry mhferry@yahoo.com or 660-537-0670. For more information about Les Vilda see: http://www.havedonkeywilltravel.com/programs.html.
Council Oak Park, Council Grove, KS. Details, applications, and prizes to be announced. www.santafetrail200.com
To acknowledge the departure of William Becknell and companions, MRO will host a short program at the site of the SFTA markers at Franklin, MO. Day-long activities will be held at Arrow Rock, MO. This will be a joint commemoration with Arrow Rock Missouri State Park (DNR) and Friends of Arrow Rock. The Arrow Rock Stock and Trading Company will do first-person portrayals of the Becknell men. During the day they will interact with attendees.
*Reservations due by July 1, 2021. Telephone: 660-837-3200 Email: info@hustontavern.com *Information also available on the J Huston Tavern Facebook page or the Arrow Rock Facebook page.
For more information: MRO Chapter President, Anne Mallinson annemallinson@gmail.com or Larry Short ldshort@comcast.net
The SantaCaliGon Days festival commemorates the origin of the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon trails traveled by adventurous pioneers during the country's westward expansion in the 1800s. First held in 1940, it is now one of the nations's premier festivals and features arts and crafts booths, food and entertainment, all held around the historic Courthouse Square. For more information: https//www.santacaligon.com
This annual event consists of a run/walk, and a pioneer Madonna “look-alike” short walk. Prizes will be awarded to winners including "most authentic" Madonna statue "look-alikes". Start and finish at the Madonna of the Trail Statue, Council Grove, KS. For more information, contact Jan at 303-775-5901. https://www.santafetrail200.com/dar-madonna-trudge
Sponsored by MRO/SFTA, Jackson County Parks & Rec and the Society of Friends of Fort Osage. For more information: https://fortosagenhs.com/event/celebrating-the-santa-fe-trail/ or MRO Chapter President, Anne Mallinson annemallinson@gmail.com or Larry Short ldshort@comcast.net
The Fort Wallace Museum located at 2655 US-40, Wallace, KS, has chosen the theme for this year's events: "Taking the Smoky Hill Trail to Santa Fe." As the railroad moved westward in the 1860s and 1870s, the Smoky Hill Trail was incorporated into the Santa Fe Trail. "Taking the Smoky Hill Trail to Santa Fe" was the focus of the March symposium and will be the theme of an encampment and mini-symposium September 10 and 11, 2021. Living historians on the museum grounds will highlight the trade that characterized end-of-the-track towns like Sheridan. Frank Norris and Mike Olson will be guest speakers on the 11th. Follow the museum on Facebook or email museum@ftwallace.com for more information.
Community events to commemorate the Santa Fe Trail 200th in Raytown, MO. Hosted by the Missouri River Outfitters Chapter-SFTA, the Raytown Chamber of Commerce, the Raytown Historical Soc., the Raytown Parks Dept., the Rice-Tremonti House, and Cave Spring Association. For more information, contact: ldshort@comcast.net or president@raytownchamber.com
Including the “Voices of the Wind People Pageant,” Mountain Men Exposition, Antique Wagon Show, Blacksmith, Wheelwright, Non-motorized Parade, and participation of the Kaw Tribe. For more information contact the Council Grove/Morris County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism at 620.767.5413 or www.santafetrail200.com or on Facebook @voicesofthewindpeople
The Trailside Center is celebrating the Bicentennial of the Santa Fe Trail with a Festival on Saturday, September 18, 2021, hours are 10:00 to 4:00pm. Our location at 99th & Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO is adjacent to one of the trails leading to Santa Fe. We will have displays of trail worthy items, speakers, and music. For additional information contact the Trailside Center at 816-942-3581, or email to margarethughes527@yahoo.com
Plans are being developed to commemorate the Santa Fe Trail 200th in Burlingame. For more information, contact Sheila Curtis at shellicurti@gmail.com
Otero Community College in La Junta, CO.
SFTA Symposium hosted by the Bent’s Fort Chapter and the Bent’s Fort National Historic Site. Events will be held in La Junta, CO & at Bent’s Old Fort NHS and will include speakers, tours, and living history. For more information, visit: www.2021sfts.com
Including “Fair on the Square,” Courthouse Square, Lyons, KS; Bike Ride, Horse Ride Time/ location TBD; Sunset at Gunsight Notch; and Dedication of Plum Buttes Massacre Memorial—Supper in the Ruts at Ralph’s Ruts, West of Chase, KS on 4th road, ¾ miles north of Highway 56. For more information: quivira.sfta@gmail.com or 620-241-8719 or www.2021SantaFeTrailKansas.com
Located at Coronado Quivira Museum, 105 W. Lyon St., Lyons, KS. An Interactive Digital Tour Experience will guide an audience through the 35 miles of the Santa Fe Trail sites in Rice County, Kansas at the Coronado Quivira Museum and on the museum’s website at www.cqmuseum.org. Hour of the Coronado Quivira Museum are Tuesday – Friday, 10:00am – 4:00pm, Saturday 10:00am – 1:00pm. Closed Sunday and Monday. www.2021SantaFeTrailKansas.com
Tours along the Trail - East to Timpas/South to Raton Pass/ Baca House and Santa Fe Trail Museum and DAR Marker at Kit Carson Park. For more information: marty.hackett@trinidad.co.gov
Events on the Santa Fe Trail -Downtown Trinidad- Speakers, reenactments, theatre productions, cultural music/dancers, Buffalo Soldiers, youth educational activities and period demonstrations, all representing the cultures and historical aspects of the Santa Fe Trail. For more information: marty.hackett@trinidad.co.gov
2565 Pueblo Road, Canton, KS. For more information: 620-654-7230 or maxwellwildliferefuge@gmail.com
Visit www.smokyhilltrail.com for more information or contact Pres. Ken Cole at cole_ken@hotmail.com.
A program by Robert Yarmer, “Tales from the Trail and the Beyond” at the Ellinwood Senior Center, 103 N. Main St., Ellinwood, KS www.2021SantaFeTrailKansas.com
The Corazon de los Caminos Chapter-SFTA and the Las Vegas Citizens Committee for Historic Preservation will join together to present programs to commemorate the meeting of Becknell & Gallegos near Las Vegas, NM.
Friday, November 12, 2021 – Las Vegas, NM
Saturday, November 13, 2021 – Las Vegas, NM to Santa Fe, NM
End of the Trail Chapter-SFTA Activities:
Sunday, November 14, 2021 – Santa Fe
For more information, contact chapter president, Doyle Daves at davesgd@aim.com or 505-426-8958.
Old Mill Museum, 120 E. Mill Street, Lindsborg, KS. Learn how to research your ancestors that traveled on the Santa Fe Trail. For more information: www.2021SantaFeTrailKansas.com or 620-241-8719.
Located in Boonville, MO commemorating the return of Becknell from Santa Fe. Contact for more information: annemallinson@gmail.com or ldshort@comcast.net
The Workshop will focus on development of a new Strategic Plan for SFTA.
Located in Arrow Rock, MO commemorating Becknell’s second journey to Santa Fe (with 3 wagons). Contact for more information: annemallinson@gmail.com or ldshort@comcast.net
Location TBD.
Located in Larned, KS.
Location TBD.
Tentative dates Sept. 20 or 21-23 OR Sept. 27 or 28-30. Will be held in Kansas City area and hosted by the Missouri River Outfitters Chapter.
Location TBD.
Located in Larned, KS
To commemorate when Becknell joined with Augustus Storrs and M. M. Marmaduke, both of whom were to become major factors in the trade with the southwest. This was the first large wagon train to trade with Santa Fe. It consisted of 25 wagons and carts, 81 men, 150 to 200 horses and mules and $30,000.00 in trade goods. The expedition returned with $180,000.00 in coins, and $10,000.00 in fur pelts.
Location TBD.
Location TBD. 200th anniversary of the Sibley Survey, the Treaties with the Kaw and the Osage, and the First Mexican Traders travel the Santa Fe Trail to the east.
