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.

September 21 at 10am: Gary Hicks, President of the Kansas City Area Historic Trails Association will explore the topic of the development of the trails west and their growth and impact on the location and interactions with the Mission.

Free to the public
East Building