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.

2025 Mess & Muster will be on April 26, 2025

Defending the Frontier!

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. All meal orders must be received by Friday, April 18, 2025.

10:00 Corporal Leander Herron - First Person Presentation 

Rob Mundun will portray Cpl. Herron’s heroic adventure leading to his Medal of Honor award. Rob has a bachelor of communications from Fort Hays State University and runs Munden Entertainment Services. He has experience as a playwright, director, actor, novelist and sportscaster.

11:00 The Letter “D” - Deserters - Disorder - Discipline - Duty

George Elmore, Fort Larned National Historic Site Chief Ranger

Blockhouse History and Underground Well Tour in the Fort Larned Blockhouse

12:00 Lunch - Box Lunch in the Infantry Barracks Mess Hall

Must pre-order. 

1:00 “Cannoneer’s Hop”

Ben Long, Fort Larned National Historic Site Ranger

Cannon Firing Demonstration with Audience Participation

2:00 “Frontier Field Service”

Ben Long, Fort Larned National Historic Site Ranger

Campaign and Escort Duty on the Santa Fe Trail

3:30 “Defending Sacred Lands: Weapons of the Plains Indians”

Celeste Dixon, Retired Fort Larned National Historic Site Ranger

Ken Weidner, Noted Plains Indian Historian

5:00 Retreat Ceremony

5:15 Doors open in the Quartermaster Storehouse 

View Silent Auction items and preview historic military firearms collection.

6:00 Dinner catered by Great Western Dining

Must pre-order. 

6:45 Old Guard Business Meeting, Awards

7:00 Military Arms: 1776 to Present

Mike Seymour, Fort Larned National Historic Site Museum Technician Mike has spent a lifetime collecting historic military firearms. Join us as he explains the evolution of the government’s “state of the art” firepower.