The Fort Larned Old Guard's Mess & Muster is our annual meeting, typically held on the 4th Saturday at the month at Fort Larned. This unique event features living history, educational programs and an annual business meeting.

2024 Mess & Muster will be on April 27, 2024: History Rediscovered: The Cheyenne/Lakota Indian Village

Pre-order a box lunch and/or make your dinner reservations here.

Schedule of Events

All programs and events are free and open to the public, however there is a charge for meals.

8:30 - Board Meeting at Fort Larned (all are welcome)

10:30 - Meet in Fort Larned parking lot. Brief introduction and handouts.

10:45 - Leave parking lot for Confrontation Ridge

11:15 - Confrontation Ridge Stop

12:00 - Cheyenne/Lakota Indian Village Site
Lunch - you can pre-order a box for $12 (highly recommended) or bring your own.
Time to roam the site.
Bring your own lawn chair (a few extra chairs will be provided)
Portable toilets will be available at the site.

1:00 - Cheyenne/Lakota Village Destroyed 1867-Rediscovered 1976
George Elmore, Fort Larned National Historic Site Chief Ranger/Historian

1:30 - Cheyenne Camp Life - 1867
Ken Wiedner & Assistants. Ken creates historically accurate period Cheyenne clothing and daily use items for museums.

3:00 - Break

3:15 - Recognizing Our History: The National Landmark Process
Kevin Eads, Fort Larned National Historic Site Superintendent

3:45 - Return to Fort Larned National Historic Site

5:00 - Retreat Ceremony

6:00 - Dinner for $25 - Reservations required (catered by Great Western Dining)

7:00 - "The Village...will be entirely destroyed." Hancock/Custer Expedition of 1867
Dr. Leo Oliva. Dr. Oliva is a noted historian, speaker and book author covering our frontier/plains military history and the complex relationship between the Native American culture and the concept of Manifest Destiny.

You won't want to miss this presentation!