Fort Scott National Historic Site Federal Budget Cuts
By: Alisha Culbertson
Updated: March 4, 2013
FORT SCOTT, KS.--- Fort Scott National Historic Site is implementing cuts immediately. 2 seasonal workers will not be hired, guided tours will be less frequent, and site maintenance will be limited.
"The current staff will have to take up some of the slack and the workload. The visitors will experience, I'm not saying they won't have a great experience, but their experience may be diminished," said Kelly Collins, Ft. Scott Historic Site Chief Ranger.
There are normally 13 permanent and 15 seasonal employees at the historic site.
"We will be doing only essential training that's required to keep up certifications," says Collins.
Employees say they will do everything they can to make sure guests still enjoy their visit.
"We're going to do what we can to provide a very good experience for or visitors, but we will be offering fewer scheduled programs," says Collins.
The park brings in over 25,000 visitors yearly. Volunteers say it's fundamental to history to keep sites like this one running.
"If we don't keep our history alive, such as places like this, that our younger generations can visit, how will they know history?" Ask Patsey Herman, Ft. Scott Historic Site Volunteer.
Employees don't have to deal with these changes alone. 300 volunteers assist in interpretive reenactments, lawn and restroom maintenance, and guided tours. The historic site will still be open to visitors from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
"The current staff will have to take up some of the slack and the workload. The visitors will experience, I'm not saying they won't have a great experience, but their experience may be diminished," said Kelly Collins, Ft. Scott Historic Site Chief Ranger.
There are normally 13 permanent and 15 seasonal employees at the historic site.
"We will be doing only essential training that's required to keep up certifications," says Collins.
Employees say they will do everything they can to make sure guests still enjoy their visit.
"We're going to do what we can to provide a very good experience for or visitors, but we will be offering fewer scheduled programs," says Collins.
The park brings in over 25,000 visitors yearly. Volunteers say it's fundamental to history to keep sites like this one running.
"If we don't keep our history alive, such as places like this, that our younger generations can visit, how will they know history?" Ask Patsey Herman, Ft. Scott Historic Site Volunteer.
Employees don't have to deal with these changes alone. 300 volunteers assist in interpretive reenactments, lawn and restroom maintenance, and guided tours. The historic site will still be open to visitors from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
