Despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, Fort Larned National Historic Site (NHS) continues to connect with visitors virtually. Fort Larned staff have been working diligently to use innovative digital resources to reach new audiences.
Fort Larned NHS remains active on social media, connecting virtual visitors with the people, places, and events that make up the post’s storied history. Fort Larned has seen a 16% increase in social media followers across Facebook (Fort Larned National Historic Site), Instagram (@FortLarnedNPS), and Twitter (@FortLarnedNPS). Website traffic has also seen an increase.
Using these various virtual platforms, Fort Larned NHS strives to continue connecting with visitors virtually while also hoping for future physical events. In lieu of the annual Christmas Open House, Fort Larned NHS offered a virtual event. Santa couldn’t decide who was naughty or who was nice at Fort Larned in the year of 1867, so he decided to visit the post in person. If you missed the post, it can still be found on the park’s website (https://www.nps.gov/fols/learn/photosmultimedia/multimedia.htm). The virtual event was filmed entirely on location at Fort Larned, utilizing the staff and volunteers, so you may see many familiar faces!
With school groups largely unable to travel, Fort Larned has been providing a variety of distance learning programs. Fort Larned has seen over an 1000% increase in virtual school program attendance, connecting with a variety of grades at schools from as far away as California and Virginia. Current programs offerings include topics such as the daily life of a frontier soldier, Buffalo Soldiers, women of the military frontier, and the Santa Fe Trail. This would not have been possible without the recent purchase of an iPad by park partner, the Fort Larned Old Guard. Because the iPad is highly mobile, programs can be conducted from any building on site. While Fort Larned looks forward to the return of in-person groups, distance learning programs will continue to enable fort staff to reach schools who may be too far to travel to the site.
Fort Larned NHS looks forward to continuing to connect with visitors whether on-site or virtually.
Fort Larned National Historic Site is located six miles west of Larned on Kansas Highway 156. For Information on planning a visit our website, call 620-285-6911, or send us an email: [email protected]. For information on area tourism partners, lodging, dining, and community services go to www.larnedks.org or call (620) 285-6916.