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Lecompton Visitors Relive Territorial Days
LECOMPTON, Kan. (WIBW) - In historic Lecompton, important political matters were discussed this Saturday afternoon to determine whether Kansas would be a free state or a slave state.
"Kansas must be free!" said one gentleman to cheers.
It was all of course a reenactment of the Bleeding Kansas era, a period in the state's history leading up to the civil war.
"Here in Lecompton, we firmly believe that the Civil War actually began here in Kansas," Deb Powell, a member of the Lecompton Reenactors and board member of the Lecompton Historical Society said.
She and a cast of actors clad in period costumes performed a reenactment of a political meeting heatedly engaging a modern-day audience.
"What we really hope [visitors] learn is what an important part of history this was, not only for Kansans but for the United States in general," Ron Meier, a board member of the Territorial Capital Museum, said.
The Annual Lecompton Territorial Days also featured a reenactment of the pivotal Battle of Fort Titus in 1856. Meier said it was one of the events that led to the Civil War.
Organizers say the two-day event combines education and entertainment to help the younger generation learn about a time that changed the course of history.
Visitors also got to enjoy arts, crafts, demonstrations of pioneer living and a host of games and food booths.
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