Where the Civil War Began

Begins and ends in Kansas City

Explore the issues that threatened the delicate balance of America’s “peculiar institution”, when free-soilers fought to enter the Union as a free state and pro-slavers sought to extend slavery into the territories.

Included in fees:  6 nights’ lodging, 6 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 evening meals, nightly hospitality reception, deluxe motorcoach & driver, professional tour director/historian, special speakers and programs, group photo, all admission and park entrance fees, baggage handling, airport transfers.

2011:  $ 1,209 double | $ 1,550 single

• unpack once
• daily hot breakfast
• nightly manager’s reception
• living history
• special speakers & programs
• Kansas Museum of History
• Constitution Hall, Lecompton
• Fort Scott
• John Brown Museum
• Historic Lawrence
• battle sites
• much more

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1 – Airport transfers included.  This evening enjoy a get-acquainted dinner and program to kick off our ante-bellum learning vacation. (D)

Day 2 – Today visit the award-winning Kansas Museum of History for background on the conflict.  Lawrence was the heart of the free-soil movement, and scene of the worst destruction during Kansas’ territorial period. We’ll enjoy lunch at the historic Eldridge Hotel and tour the town’s significant sites. (B,L)

Day 3 – Today we visit John Brown’s home - now a Kansas State Historic Site and the nearby site of the Battle of Black Jack, regarded by many historians as the first battle of the Civil War. Tonight enjoy a dinner and program. (B,D)

Day 4 – As the territorial capital, Lecompton was the center of controversy throughout the Bleeding Kansas era.  Here the incendiary pro-slavery constitution was written.  We’ll tour the first capital building and enjoy a performance of the play, “Bleeding Kansas”, plus other surprises. (B,L)

Day 5 – Today visit the Frontier Army Museum at Fort Leavenworth, learn about the role of the Buffalo Soldiers in the frontier army, and visit the Bethel A.M.E. Church, an underground railroad depot at the time of the conflict. (B)

Day 6 – Our last full day will be devoted to the final throes of the conflict in Kansas before it disintegrated into widespread warfare.  At Fort Scott we’ll tour the restored buildings and exhibits with a knowledgeable guide and learn of these final events. Then we’ll tour the Marais des Cygnes Massacre site. Tonight we’ll celebrate our new friendships and deepened understanding of this pivotal period in our history, when brother turned against brother and our Union nearly dissolved. (B,D

Day 7 – Airport transfers are included to the Kansas City airport by 11:00 am. (B)