Region: Western Adventures Type: Custom Groups Length: 6 Days Tap Rating: TAP Superior
Territorial Kansas was where the Missouri Compromise came unraveled, and the seeds of civil war took root. The era known as “Bleeding Kansas” pitted neighbor against neighbor and created legendary characters like John Brown and William Quantrill. Join us as we explore the issues that caught the attention of a nation, when free-soilers fought to enter the union as a free state and pro-slavers sought to extend slavery into the territories.
SLT
Day # 1 – ARRIVALS
Participants will be met at the Kansas City airport and transported to our home base for the next six nights: the Drury Inn & Suites in Overland Park, KS. Here we will enjoy daily hot breakfast and evening hospitality reception This evening we’ll enjoy a get-acquainted dinner and program to kick off our ante-bellum learning vacation. Overnight: Overland Park, KS (D)
Day # 2 – Kansas Museum of History / Historic Lawrence
We’ll begin our journey to the past with a visit to the award-winning Kansas Museum of History where we’ll get an overview of the conflict. Then it’s on to historic Lawrence, the heart of the free-soil movement, and scene of much of the worst destruction during Kansas’ territorial period. We’ll enjoy lunch at the historic Eldridge Hotel and tour the town’s significant sites. Overnight: Overland Park, KS (B,L)
Day # 3 – John Brown Museum / Battle of Black Jack
One of many key figures in the struggle over Kansas was a Yankee abolitionist who seemed drawn to controversy like a moth to flame: John Brown. We’ll visit the home where he and several of his sons lodged with his sister and her husband – now a Kansas State Historic Site. Also on today’s agenda is the nearby site of the Battle of Black Jack, regarded by many historians as the first battle of the Civil War. Tonight we’ll enjoy a dinner and program. Overnight: Overland Park, KS (B,D)
Day # 4 – Territorial Capital / Constitution Hall
As the territorial capital, Lecompton was the center of controversy throughout the Bleeding Kansas era. We’ll visit the site where the incendiary pro-slavery constitution was written, tour the first capital building and enjoy a performance of the play, “Bleeding Kansas”. Our included lunch is an example of small-town hospitality, served by the women of the United Methodist Church, which just happens to be the former Windsor Hotel, one of five thriving hotels in Lecompton during this period.Overnight: Overland Park, KS (B,L)
Day # 5 – Fort Leavenworth / Buffalo Soldier Monument
The town of Leavenworth was another pivotal player in the drama of territorial Kansas. We’ll visit the Frontier Army Museum at Fort Leavenworth, learn about the role of the Buffalo Soldiers in the frontier army, and visit the Bethel A.M.E. Church, an underground railroad depot at the time of the conflict. Overnight: Overland Park, KS (B)
Day # 6 – Fort Scott, Marais des Cygnes Massacre
Our last full day will be devoted to the final throes of the conflict in Kansas before it disintegrated into widespread warfare. Although the town of Fort Scott was free-soil, its surrounding territory was decidedly pro-slavery. We’ll tour the restored buildings and exhibits with a knowledgeable guide and learn of these final events. Then we’ll visit the site of the Marais des Cygnes Massacre. Tonight we’ll celebrate our new friendships and deepened understanding of this pivotal period in our history, when brother turned against brother and our Union nearly dissolved. Overnight: Overland Park, KS (B,D)
Day # 7 – DEPARTURES
Airport transfers are included(B)
Tour Highlights:
- Unpack once!
- All-suites hotel
- nightly manager's reception
- Living history
- Special speakers & programs
- Kansas Museum of History
- Constitution Hall, Lecompton
- Lawrence historic sites
- Fort Scott
- John Brown Museum
- Battle sites