Society of Friends of Historic Fort Hays

03/25/2026

We would like to thank the following sponsors/donors for contributions to the Elizabeth Polly Project -

Golden Belt Bank

Golden Plains Credit Union

Friends of Cottonwood Ranch

Hays Kiwanis

Women Who Lead

Hays Lions Club

Robert B. Wilhelm Speaker Series Fund

Society of Friends of Historic Fort Hays

Six anonymous & generous individual Society of Friends donors

02/23/2026

Calendar of Events for 2026:

Saturday, February 28, 2026
6:00 - Volunteer Appreciation Potluck

Saturday, April 11, 2026
1:00 - Board Meeting & volunteer training day

Saturday, April 25, 2026
10:00 - Art Walk Merc & Raffle Table

Saturday, May 2, 2026
2:00 - Program - “The Widows: Faithful Standbys” presented by Marla Matkin

Saturday, June 6 2026
2:00 - “Uniforms and Insignia of the Indian Wars Period” presented by Chris Dechant

Saturday, July 4, 2026
Celebrating America's 250th!
- 4:00 pm: Vintage Baseball with the Post Nine & Hays City 9
- 4:30-5:00 pm: Hays City Band
- 6:00 pm: Hot dogs, popcorn and food trucks!
- 7:00 pm: Spirit of '76 Reenactment at the officer's quarters & parade ground
- 7:30 pm: Music
- 8:00-10:00: Fireworks

Saturday, August 1, 2026
2:00 pm Program - “Leadership at Fort Hays: Post Commanders” presented by Adam Conkey

Saturday, September 5, 2026
2:00 pm - Program - “Diseases & Healthcare at Fort Hays” presented by Sherrie Smith

Saturday, October 31, 2026 1:00-3:00 pm - Frontier Fall

Friday and Saturday,
December 4 and 5, 2026
6:00-8:00 pm - Christmas Past

01/23/2026

Due to inclement weather, Fort Hays State Historic Site will be closed Saturday, January 24 and Sunday, January 25.

01/21/2026

The Annual meeting scheduled for this Saturday January 24th has been CANCELED due to impending weather concerns.

09/26/2025

Come see us at Oktoberfest! Purchase a chance to win the Yellowboy!

02/24/2025

It is with deep sorrow that we share the news of the passing of long time curator Bob Wilhelm. Not only was he the director of Historic Fort Hays for 29 year, but he was a true friend to the site and will be deeply missed.

Robert B. “Bob” Wilhelm Robert B. “Bob” Wilhelm, 75, Hays, died Thursd

12/22/2024

Annual Meeting:
Sunday, 26 January 2025, 2pm

Speaker:
Garrett Seuser presents "Unearthing Artifacts"

11/16/2024

October 26, 2024 Fort Hays Historical Society hosted a family-friendly Frontier Fall event; with painting pumpkins for the kids, candy, snacks, ghost stories, and they got to meet Elizabeth Polly. Everyone had fun and it was a great success!

11/14/2024

October 12th 2024 vintage baseball game with the Loretto Bluejays. It was a great way to have some fun celebrating history with our neighbors in Lacrosse! We had a blast!

10/17/2023

Come to the library Thursday morning to listen to Bob Wilhelm, former director of the Fort Hays Historic Site, discuss "Life and Death at Fort Hays." The presentation will be at 10 a.m.