Hosts: Monnett BOW Fund and KC Parks & Recreation
Discover Battle of Westport's History
The Monnett Battle of Westport Fund announces the upcoming commemoration events marking the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Westport (BOW 160) in Kansas City, Missouri in conjunction with the Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department. The Battle of Westport of October 21-23, 1864 was the largest Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River.
The BOW 160 commemoration features guided tours of the battlefield, exhibitions and demonstrations of Civil War era daily life and military camp life and living historians.
The events are free and open to the public on Saturday October 19, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. All events will be held on the grounds of the historic battlefield at Byram’s Ford over the Big Blue River in the Big Blue Battlefield Park maintained by the Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department. The Big Blue Battlefield Park is on the National Register of Historic Places as the Byram’s Ford Historic District.
The BOW 160 events in the Big Blue Battlefield Park will be accessed from the intersection of 60th Street and Colorado Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri.
A living historian will recreate the persona of a notable figure from the battle, Lt. Patrick Henry Minor, an African American, (1829-1865) who commanded Douglas’ Independent Colored Battery as the first regularly commissioned Black officer to command Black troops in combat on 22 and 23 October 1864.
In addition to the military history, BOW 160 will show visitors the aspects of the times that make the Civil War relevant for a 21st century audience. There will be a series of Chautauqua style presentations. Families will have the opportunity to interact with the soldiers and other living historians throughout the event.
Big Blue Battlefield Guided Walking Tours
The Monnett Battle of Westport Fund will be sponsoring guided tours on the Big Blue Battlefield during the Battle of Westport 160 Commemoration event on October 19, 2024.
There will be three tour stations, each hosted by an expert tour guide.
- Byram's Ford
- Central Battlefield
- Bloody Hill
Byram's Ford Tour Station
- When: 10:00 am, 11:30 am and 1:30 pm
- Where: Meet 1/4 mile north of E 63rd St on Hardesty Ave in Kansas City.
Central Battlefield Tour Station
- When: 10:00 am, 11:30 am and 1:30 pm
- Where: Meet in the parking lot at 5951 Manchester Trfwy in Kansas City
Bloody Hill Tour Station
- When: 10:00 am, 11:30 am and 1:30 pm
- Where: Meet at the artillery piec located nest to 4800 E63rd St in Kansas City
