Join us Wednesday, April 6, 2022 for our monthly Senior Wednesday. This month our topic is "From 'Gateway to the West' to 'Intellectual Center of the Army': A Brief History of Fort Leavenworth," presented Megan Hunter!

With expansion into the West with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, roads for commerce and travel began to spring up. These new roads, such as the Santa Fe and Oregon Trail, and movement into the west required the US Army to begin setting up forts and posts on the trails. In 1827 Colonel Henry Leavenworth was handpicked to establish a new post along the Missouri River.  The post would provide an escort along the Santa Fe Trail, to protect the western frontier and be a show of force to the Native American tribes settled in the area. Colonel Leavenworth, with the officers and men of the 3d Infantry Regiment from Jefferson Barracks at St. Louis, Missouri were assigned to locate and establish a permanent cantonment.  The location of the post was selected in 1827 and it is currently the oldest continually operating post west of the Mississippi River.

Throughout the 19th and 20th century Fort Leavenworth continued to grow and become an education and training center for the army. Today it is home to the United States Disciplinary Barracks, the Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery, and the Command and General Staff School.

About the speaker: 

Megan Hunter is a Museum Specialist at the Frontier Army Museum at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Ms. Hunter has a B.A. in Anthropology from Indiana University and a M.A. in Museum Studies from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis. Research interests include 19^th and 20^th century military medicine, Army scientific explorations, and women on the frontier. 

Choose from two ways to join the presentation:

In-person: Join us at the Museum for Megan's live, in-person presentation! Face coverings are optional and social distancing will be required while in the Museum. No need to register — simply walk in! Coffee and tea, generously provided by The Spice Merchant - Wichita's Gourmet Coffee & Tea Roaster, and pre-packaged refreshments provided.  This is free for members and $4 for non-members.

Virtually via YouTube Livestream (Members Only link will be sent the day before the program to view.)