In 1848, The Western Academy was started at the Shawnee Indian Mission. Reverend Nathan Scarritt oversaw the department, which was a college prep program for both Native American and white students in the area. Both young men and women were admitted into the program and while white students from both the Territory and Missouri paid a tuition for coursework and room and board, Native American students were admitted to the program tuition-free. This program series will have local experts present programs on various aspects of the Mission’s history, as it relates to other aspects of greater Kansas City history.

November 16 at 10am: Diane Euston, Kansas City Historian, Educator and Westport Historical Society Board Member, will present on various connections between Westport and the Shawnee Indian Mission, highlighting the enslaved of both areas during the time of the Border Wars.

Free to the public.
East Building