National Historic Site Field Trip

Last Friday we toured the Fort Smith National Historic Site/Judge Parker's Court. We'd been before (several times), but the improvements they've made since the last time we were there were really impressive.

Our tour guide was great. He is a senior historical interpretation major at UAFS, and you can tell he loves what he does. (Interesting Note: Apparently Tom Wing is the reason he is doing what he is doing...he said that he attended a field trip at the Historic Site when he was in the 6th or 7th grade and when he saw Tom shooting the cannon, he thought "Wow, what a neat job that would be!" :))

Some of these photos are less than the best...I was more focused on keeping up with everyone than getting *perfect* shots. :)

Bay and Kaitlyn...
The old jail, downstairs. Our tour guide did an excellent job of describing the horrid conditions in this jail, which earned it the nickname "Hell on the Border".

Sweet sisters listening...:)
Gracie...
The "newer" jail, upstairs. It was a vast improvement over the old jail, with actual "cells" and a mechanism for dealing with "waste". The cutways and displays in this area are really cool!

The "new and improved waste disposal system"...this door opened to reveal a pull out chamber pot. There was a special flue system which helped keep the smell down, compared to the old jail with its open, exposed buckets. The kids were fascinated by this. :)

Next was Judge Parker's courtroom. It has been beautifully restored, and with my love of all things judicial, it was my favorite part. :) The kids really enjoyed sitting at the various desks and hamming it up. ;-)

Peter at the clerk's desk...
I wish this had turned out better....Emlyn "on the bench".
"Judge Josh" with the gavel...
Emlyn and Braylin sharing the judge's seat...
Group shot...
Peter at one of the displays...
View from the window...Flag over the Fort...Silly kids...





This is part of a huge blown up photo which hangs over the staircase going up to the new jail. "Bill" is an outlaw who was eventually hanged. The men with the numbered hats are marshalls. Can you tell where Bill's right arm is in the photo? According to the story our tour guide told us, Bill said after this photo was taken that he had his arm around deputy number 4 and "almost" had his gun out of his holster. The photographer took the shot just in time to save the lives of the marshalls and who knows how many others. Notice the smirk on Bill's face?
The cannon...
Josh had his bug catcher and looked for bugs every chance he got. He and Peter finally found one!
The gallows...
Another great trip! Thanks, Kim!! :)