If you’ve spent any time on the Kansas State Fairgrounds, you likely know the Encampment Building. It’s a familiar landmark for many fairgoers and community groups, but the name itself often raises a simple question:
Why is it called that?
The answer goes back nearly a century.
From its beginning in 1934, the building was designed with a specific purpose in mind: housing 4-H youth attending the Kansas State Fair.
At the time just like today, youth delegates from across Kansas traveled to the Fair to participate in learning programs, competitions, and leadership experiences through 4-H. The new building essentially formed a large “encampment,” giving the building its name.
Capable of housing hundreds at a time, the Encampment Building has provided encampment provisions for other purposes as well over the decades. During World War II, it temporarily housed members of the Kansas National Guard and later German prisoners of war who were brought to the area to work for local farmers.
But through all these years, one thing has remained the same.
The building continues to serve as an important “base camp” for 4-H youth during the Kansas State Fair.
The Encampment Building has a plethora of history and community connections to explore in future installments of Around the Grounds, so stay tuned!
Around the Grounds is a new monthly E-Update series that explores the buildings and attractions of the Kansas State Fairgrounds. Most places have a lot to uncover, so they’ll appear in multiple parts over time. We won’t always cover those parts back-to-back — rather, we’ll move around the Fairgrounds and highlight different buildings along the way. Over time, Around the Grounds will create a growing look at many different spaces — one article at a time.
Join us as we continue to explore the Fairgrounds! Be sure you (and your friends!) are signed up for our First Friday E-Updates to receive future Around the Grounds features straight to your inbox.
About the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation
The Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation (KFF) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Founded in 2003, KFF’s mission is to further the renovation, construction, preservation and beautification of the Kansas State Fairgrounds with a vision of inspiring excellence and understanding of Kansas agriculture, industry and culture through the Kansas State Fair, activities, educational programs and opportunities. The Foundation exists to enrich the unforgettable memories and traditions people experience only at the Kansas State Fair and at the 500+ events on the Fairgrounds year-round.
