Fort Atkinson State Historical Park — Attraction in Nebraska

Attend the Heritage Day Festival. Overall, the experience was interesting. However, I felt uncomfortable with the interaction I had with a volunteer. I spoke to her and she did not respond. She looked at me and told the other volunteer that she would have to finish up what she was doing, gave her the instrument for her to complete the task, folded up her apron, placed it on the chair and turned to talk to other people surrounding me. The people with whom she spoke, did not solicit information from her. They were just observing.

I was very offended by her behavior. It was as if she did not want to talk to me because of my ethnicity. I did not want to take a large leap to assume that this was the cause of her behavior. Therefore, I contacted a representative at Ft Atkinson and describe my experience to him along with my ethnic background. After I throughly explained my experience, he remained quite on the phone, as did I. He finally responded with great reluctance, "We have volunteers and I am sure she did not mean it." I remained quite on the phone. He too sat quiet. Finally, he stated, "thank you for letting me know, I will talk with her. "

Such a sad, sad...

I went there with my three kids (7, 5, 1). The two oldest enjoyed; the youngest was along for the ride, but she enjoyed toddle-running through the large open parade grounds. Three of the four barracks (which also served as the fort's walls with firing ports) have been rebuild along with several other buildings. The site is on a bluff just above the former location of the Missouri River (geography lesson for kids: the Missouri has since shifted three miles to the East).

Plan to go on weekends when Friends of Fort Atkinson are having living history sessions (first weekend, May through October). Events include craft displays (and butter samples), treaty signings, marches, and rifle & canon firings.

Pros: plenty of open space for kids to play, well maintained, good geography, A GIFT SHOP WITH REASONABLE PRICES(!)

Cons: relatively low on the historical significance scale (but still a nice way to spend...

I have volunteered at Fort Atkinson for 13 years now because I love it! I learn so much more about history by doing it! The living history reenactors, all volunteers, are so fun, engaging, and experts in their historical knowledge. Come out and join us! We will help provide outfits if you want to experience history first-hand. Living history weekends are the first weekend every month (or if the 1st day of the month is Sunday, it is that weekend) during the months of May through October. All for the cost of a Nebraska park pass, you will find blacksmiths, tinsmith, cooper, carpenters, military, cooks, lace-maker, spinners, weavers, quilters, surgeon, traders, Indian agent, fur trappers, long hunters, teachers, and sutlers selling 1820s period goods in the Sutler Store! And you can visit the newly remodeled...