Historical Impact and Connections

The Wayman Chapel AME Church in Fort Scott has been the home and center of several historical connections, throughout its active years.

Historic Figures Connected to the Wayman Chapel AME Church

Frederick Douglass

Carrie Hughes

Roscoe Conkling Simmons

Professor E. J. Hawkins

Dr. Anthony L. Hawkins

Gordon Parks

View Details of the Historic Figures

Use the Slide Bar Below to learn more about each featured Historic Figure

Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass, the renowned abolitionist, author, and speaker, spoke in Fort Scott in November 1888 at the Davidson Opera House in the interest of the AME Church. The building where the Opera House was located still exists and is situated in the historic downtown at
2 North Main St.

The Learning Tree Church Scene Filming

n 1968, Gordon Parks directed film in Fort Scott, KS in 1968. This is the first time in history that a black filmmaker made a major motion picture movie in Hollywood. Gordon filmed the church scenes for the film at the Wayman Chapel Church. Several A.M.E. church members and other Fort Scott residents were extras in this scene.

In 1989 The Learning Tree (A Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Inc. Production) was one of the first 25 films selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States National Film Registry for being culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant.

Behind the Scene Photos of The Learning Tree Film Church Scenes 1968