NPS Photo

Reenactor portraying officer's wife holding prairie wildflowers

A typical Frontier Army wife came from the upper middle class. She adapted to the harsh, often hostile environment and the frequent separations and moves. She brought her civilizing influence to bear on isolated posts and to the men stationed there.

Despite having to endure low pay and near constant indebtedness, being ranked out of quarters on little or no notice and lack of fresh food and accustomed comforts, the Frontier Army wife is aptly described as "a kind of tough, weather proof, India-rubber woman. Serene and unruffled in all situations."

People in this station could choose to represent an officer's wife, but could also choose to represent an officer or a servant. The station will be held inside the furnished officers' quarters.

NPS Photo

Officers' Quarters No. 1 at sunset

There were originally four complete sets of officers' quarters at Fort Scott. Of these, two and one-half are still standing but only half of one is furnished as an officer's quarters.

Known as Swords' Quarters or Officers' Quarters No. 1, this building is thought to have been the quarters of Captain and Mrs. Thomas Swords and Captain and Mrs. Burdett Terrett.

When the fort was abandoned in 1853, the buildings were sold at public auction. This building became the Fort Scott or "Free State" Hotel.

Occupants of the hotel participated in the violence of the "Bleeding Kansas" years, some of which took place right outside its doors. In the 20th century, the building served as a museum-Headquarters House-for several years prior to 1978, when the site became a National Historic Site.

Today, half of the building serves as the administrative office of the National Park Service and the other half is restored to its 1840s appearance.