A special day for young schoolchildren Friday at Historic Fort Hays to mark the 151st anniversary of Kansas statehood, January 29, 1861.

In the fort blockhouse, Marla Matkin of Hill City played  her autoharp as the crowd sang along to period music, including the still popular “Home on the Range.”

A total of 141 elementary, middle school, and home-schooled students from Hays participated in the event.

Other presentations included lessons in flint knapping and Indian weapons, and an interpretation about Kansas cowboys.