REVIEW: Candlelight Tour of Fort Osage 2024 [History Tour]

A Museum Special Engagement

As of last night, I FINALLY took my Christmas tree down—something I had been putting off for far too long considering it is now March 3rd – oopsie. Whether out of laziness or simply being too busy (which is the actual reason), I was dangerously close to having to come up with a way to decorate it for Easter or St. Patrick’s Day! Another bit of unfinished Christmas business I realized I had was not writing about a Christmas-themed museum experience I attended toward the end of last year. This was a holiday event held at Fort Osage in Sibley, Missouri—one of my favorite historic sites in the Kansas City area and a frequent topic of discussion in the history portion of this blog. Since I have written extensively about Fort Osage, I won’t go into the whole thing again, but please read some of the below links for more information.

For more of my visits to Fort Osage, check out:

This was a ticketed event, and I will say that the only real downside I had about this was the confusing way in which jackson County Parks and Recreation’s website handles such things. Everything is structured as if I were entering my kids into a soccer tournament or something, so simply trying to buy three tickets for an event is kind of overkill. I got it done though, and was able to successfully check into the event, so I guess I figured it out or it was close enough that it didn’t matter!

Fort Osage Historic Site, Sibley, MO

This was a full-cast reenactment of what life may have been like in December 1811. Rumors of war reaching Missouri filled the air, and the looming possibility of a full-scale fort shutdown weighed heavily on everyone’s minds. As visitors, we were guided through various locations in the fort to observe how its inhabitants were preparing for Christmas, their daily activities, and their thoughts on the impending hostilities. A new fear had also taken hold—the possibility of the British turning the Osage Nation against the Americans, as they had done further north.

After a candlelit stroll down the main walkway, the tour began in the main factory storehouse, where we received an overview of the factory system and insights into the relationship between George Sibley, the political leader of the factory side of the fort, and Captain Eli Clemson, the military commander. We then moved through both Sibley’s and Clemson’s cabins to hear their respective viewpoints before making a brief stop at the military barracks to see what ordinary soldiers were up to. Finally, attendees were encouraged to visit the museum in the visitors’ center, enjoy Christmas caroling, and check out a children’s game room. Refreshments and craft tables were also available for guests to enjoy.

Background:

From the State Parks website for the site, found HERE:
(This was the text from the 2024 one)

“Experience how the holidays were celebrated at the historic Fort in the early 19th century. Authentically attired interpreters lead guests through this unique evening event inspired by the winters at Fort Osage. Guests will travel back in time to listen to the issues of the day presented by those who once called Fort Osage home. The Education Center will offer a warm place to take part in holiday-themed activities and seasonal beverages! Advance reservations are recommended as tickets are limited. The first tour will begin at 5:00 pm, with tours continuing every 15 minutes until 9:00 pm. Guests are advised to dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes.”

Reading:

Since I have last visited Fort Osage, I have become far more read on the time period that the fort was in operation due to some of my recent schoolwork, however I have not written full reviews for everything as of yet. Stay tuned for more!

Fort Osage – Opening of the American West
Historic Communities – Fort Life
Seeking a Newer World: The Fort Osage Journals and Letters of George Sibley, 1808-1811
American Confluence: The Missouri Frontier from Borderland to Border State
Indigenous Missourians: Ancient Societies to the Present

The Trip:

December 14, 2024, was the perfect date for this event—it was a bit chilly but not uncomfortably cold. A thick blanket of river fog covered the entire area, enhancing the illusion that we had somehow “time-slipped” over two hundred years into the past. The historical reenactors did a fantastic job, bringing the experience to life, and the entire tour lasted about 30 to 45 minutes from start to finish.

Our group was a good mix of older and younger attendees, with my son being one of the youngest there. Given the admission price, we got a great deal, with plenty of entertainment, snacks, and take-home crafts included.

Conclusion:

Overall, this was a fantastic experience, right up there with the July 4th living history event we attended a few years ago. The War of 1812 remains a significant blind spot in most people’s historical knowledge, and Fort Osage always does an excellent job of organizing events that bring this era to life while promoting a deeper understanding of Missouri’s origins.

My son had an absolute blast, which is always a great barometer for how well a historical event is put together—if both kids and older attendees can enjoy themselves, you know they’ve done something right.

For more information on the 2025 version of this event, please look HERE