The Kansas Historical Society announced reopening hours and dates for First Territorial Capitol State Historic Site in Fort Riley.
First Territorial Capitol reopened on Saturday (May 29th). Hours for the site are now 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through October 31st, 2021.
The site is closed on state holidays.
Governor Andrew Reeder convened the territory’s first legislative session there along the Kansas River in 1855, with some hoping to avoid the influence of pro-slavery factions. The legislature’s goals in its first session was to choose a permanent seat of government, draft a constitution, and determine if Kansas would be a free or slave state. Pro-slavery legislators outnumbered the free-state representatives, who were refused a seat in the hall. The session adjourned and reconvened near the Missouri border. The actions of these legislators pushed the nation closer to civil war.
Admission to the First Territorial Capitol is free and is located on the U.S. Army post at Building 693 East Huebner Road, Fort Riley, KS. Visitors are required to present photo ID, car insurance papers and registration. More info is available here.
