Experience the world of William Bent, fur trapper and trader with Kansas City connections as portrayed by John Atkinson.

Bent is best known for his trading fort in eastern Colorado which was located near present-day La Junta. During its operation (1833 to 1849) it was the only place of refuge on the Santa Fe Trail between the Missouri settlements and the Mexican outposts of Taos and Santa Fe. It served as headquarters for his family’s vast fur trading enterprise.  Later, Bent moved to Westport and owned land near present-day Loose Park.

Atkinson is a professor emeritus from Missouri Western State University. He has long been interested in the Bent era. He will portray Bent as he might have looked back on his eventful life in the days before he died, including his frustrations with trying to bring together diverse cultures.