+----------------------------+------------------+---+-------------------+
| National Park Service      | Fort Smith       |   | PO BOX 1406       |
|                            |                  |   |                   |
| U.S. Department of the     | National         |   | Fort Smith, AR    |
| Interior                   | Historic Site    |   | 72902             |
|                            |                  |   |                   |
|                            | Use the complete |   | http://           |
|                            | site name here   |   | www.nps.gov/fosm/ |
|                            | (e.g. Palo Alto  |   |                   |
|                            | Battlefield      |   | 479 783-3961      |
|                            | Historic Site).  |   | phone             |
|                            |                  |   |                   |
|                            |                  |   | 479 783-5307 fax  |
+----------------------------+------------------+---+-------------------+

![](media/image1.png){width="0.5597222222222222in"
height="0.7201388888888889in"}

**Fort Smith National Historic Site** News Release

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Use a "short-hand" version of the site name here (e.g. Palo Alto
  Battlefield not Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Site).

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

May 4, 2007

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Julie Northrip, 479-783-3961

**FREE SUMMER PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN**

This summer the park is offering several free educational programs for
children ages 5 and up. The hands-on workshops explore the history of
early Fort Smith. While the activities are designed to be fun for the
children, they are also educational and tie into Arkansas's state
curriculum frameworks and standards. Unless otherwise noted, the
workshops are one hour in duration. Reservations are required and may be
made by calling the park at 479-783-3961.

**[Deputy Marshals of Fort Smith]{.underline}**

Saturday, May 19 10:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.

Each Deputy U.S. Marshal working out of Parker's court made certain he
had the proper tools to carry out his job. Two essential tools were his
badge and logbook. Children will learn about the responsibilities of the
deputies and make their own badge and logbook. This free workshop is
open to children ages 5 and up.

**[Signing Up for the Army]{.underline}**

Monday, June 4 10:00 a.m.

Most of the men who came to Fort Smith as soldiers did not have military
training. Their daily routine at the fort included instruction on
learning how to be a soldier. Children in this workshop will be
"enlisted" in the army of the second Fort Smith and then will practice
the basic 19^th^ century drill on the parade grounds. This free workshop
is open to children ages 5 and up.

**[Historic Uses of Native Trees at Fort Smith]{.underline}**

Saturday, June 9 10:00 a.m.

Monday, June 11 10:00 a.m.

Native people and soldiers of early Fort Smith used many natural
resources of this area. In this workshop children will explore Belle
Point, the site of the first Fort Smith, and the river trail as they
discover the unique uses of native trees found in this area. Children
will then put together a tree identification booklet. This free workshop
is open to children ages 5 and up.

**["Oh, Say Can You See..." Flags of Fort Smith]{.underline}**

Thursday, June 14 10:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.

Several countries have at one time laid claim to the land that would
eventually become Fort Smith. In this Flag Day workshop children will
learn about these countries and their flags. Even the United States flag
that flew at the fort changed over time. As each flag is presented, the
children will make a paper flag. This free workshop is open to children
ages 5 and up.

**[4^th^ of July Celebrations in 19^th^ century Fort
Smith]{.underline}**

Saturday, June 30 1 10:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.

Wednesday, July 4 10:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.

In the 19^th^ century, the 4^th^ of July was often celebrated with
speeches and patriotic music. The local newspapers wrote about some of
these celebrations. In this free workshop children will read selections
from speeches, write their own patriotic speeches, and sing some of the
songs performed on the 4^th^ of July during the time of Judge Parker.
This free workshop is open to children ages 5 and up. .

**[Native American Games]{.underline}**

Saturday, July 7 10:00 a.m.

For centuries, Native American children were taught and played a variety
of games to strengthen both their minds and bodies. Adults often found
pleasure in playing the games as well. This workshop will introduce
children to several of the games played by the Five Tribes. This free
workshop is open to children ages 5 and up.

**[French Fur Trapper's "Possibles Bag"]{.underline}**

Saturday, July 14 10:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.

French fur trappers were among the first Europeans to navigate along the
Arkansas and Poteau Rivers and gave the name "Belle Point" to the site
that would become Fort Smith. This workshop will highlight the life of
these French fur trappers. Children will make a small "leather"
possibles pouch like that used by the trappers to store a variety of
"possible" personal and essential items. This free workshop is open to
children ages 5 and up.

**[A Stitch in Time: 19^th^ c. Embroidery]{.underline}**

Wednesday, July 18 10:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.

In the 19^th^ century ladies learned the art of embroidery by making
samplers. In this workshop, children will learn some of the basic
embroidery stitches. Class size is limited to 8 and children must have
basic experience in using a needle and thread. The workshop will be 1 ½
hrs.

**[Civil War Quilts]{.underline}**

Thursday, July 19 10:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.

Saturday, July 21 10:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.

When the Civil War first broke out, patriotic women from both the North
and South rallied to provide support. This often involved giving
blankets and making quilts for the soldiers. In this workshop children
will learn how women were able to provide these items, even as fabric
became scarce. The children will then design and sew their own quilt
block using fabric squares. The workshop will be 1 ½ hrs. Class size is
limited to 10 and is open to children ages 7 and up.

**["Wish You Were Here" Postcards of Early Fort Smith]{.underline}**

Tuesday, July 31 10:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.

People have sent postcards while on vacation and from their home cities
since the early 20^th^ century. Fort Smith National Historic Site has
many old postcards in its collection that feature some of the historic
buildings and scenes along the Arkansas River. These postcards tell us a
great deal about how the area looked in the past. In this workshop
children will make comparisons between the images on the cards and the
buildings that remain today. They will then make their own postcard of
Fort Smith, complete with a handwritten greeting. This free workshop is
open to children ages 5 and up.

**[Painting at the Point]{.underline}**

Thursday, August 2 10:00 a.m.

Saturday, August 4 10:00 a.m.

The first Fort Smith was established in 1817 at a place called Belle
Point, overlooking the Arkansas and Poteau Rivers. A few years later, an
exploring party that mapped and recorded the Rocky Mountain region
stopped at Fort Smith on their return home to St. Louis. Samuel Seymour
was one of two artists who traveled on this expedition. While at Fort
Smith he drew sketches of the fort and later painted a watercolor based
on one of his drawings. Children will examine this early depiction of
Fort Smith and using watercolors, create their own image of the scenic
location. This free workshop is open to children ages 5 and up. It is
one of several education programs offered at Fort Smith National
Historic Site. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the
park at 479-783-3961.