As a way to preserve the old Fort Scott in Bourbon County, Kansas, the Fort Scott National Historic Site was established by the National Park Service and the government of Fort Scott, Kansas in 1965. The fort was originally built in 1842 and was used as a military base, mainly for supplies and to provide security in the problematic areas nearby. It also functioned during the Bleeding Kansas and American Civil War periods.

The Fort Scott National Historic Site features twenty historic structures that were originally located on the old fort. It included a parade ground, and 5 acres of tallgrass prairie.

Named after the famous Mexican-American War General, Winfield Scott, the Fort Scott National Historic Site is open most days of the year and is a designated National Historic Site.