| Fort Hays Flagpole
On October 5, 2003, the long-awaited project to reconstruct the
flagpole was finally realized. The project had begun at the suggestion
of Board Member MaryAllyn Philip at the second board meeting in
1988. After several years of fund-raising, consulting with various
state and national historic sites about their flagpoles, and purchasing
two poles from our local power company in the fall of 2002, construction
of our pole began in June of 2003. Erection of the pole took place
on October 2, 2003. The photo at the top of this page was taken
during its official dedication that took place on October 5.
The parade ground flagpole was perhaps one of the most defining
features of a U.S. Army fort on the plains. Most were constructed
of two poles lashed together creating a "ships mast"
effect. Flying either a 10- by 20-foot storm flag or a huge garrison
flag measuring 20 feet by 36 feet, the poles were often as much
as 100 feet tall, making them visible for miles. The Fort Hays
flagpole was 85 feet tall.
Other projects the Society of Friends has accomplished recently
include the reconstruction of the boardwalk in front of officers'
row and re-shingling the Guardhouse roof.
Future Projects
As funding permits, the Society of Friends will assist the Kansas Historical Society with the following projects:
 Reconstructing
fences around the Officers' Quarters
Installing shutters on the Officers' Quarters windows
Reconstructing outhouses
 Constructing
new exhibits for the Guardhouse
Building a split rail fence to line the driveway leading up
to the museum
Adding an interactive exhibit panel to the new exhibits in the
recently renovated Blockhouse (see photo at right)
To contact us:
Phone 785-625-6812
Fax 785-625-4785
Email thefort@ruraltel.net
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