A Caravan of Culture: Visitors to Emporia, Kansas by Charles E
A Caravan of Culture: Visitors to Emporia, Kansas by Charles E. Webb INTRODUCTION hat do Ulysses S. Grant, "Buffalo Bill" Cody, Susan B. Anthony, Will Rogers, Ethel Barrymore, and Dr. \Verner Von Braun haye in common"? They were W among the hundreds of famous people that have visited EmpOria, Kansas during the past one hundred years. In dividuals and groups of national and international fame, represen ting the arts, seiencl's. education, politics, and entertainment, have pa~sed before Emporia audiences in a century long parade. Since 1879, this formidable array of personalities has provided informa tion and entertainment to Emporia citizens at an average rate of once eaeh fifteen days, The occasional appearanee of a famous personality in a small city may well be considered a matter of historical coineidence. When, however, such visits are numbered in the hundreds, arc fre quent, and persist for a century, it appears reasonable to rank the phenomenon as an important part of that eity's cultural heritage. Emporia, although located in the interior plains, never ae cepted the role of being an isolated community. It seems that the (own's pioneers eonsidered themselves not on the frontier fringi'" of America, but strategically situated near its heart. From the town's beginning, its inhabitants indicated an intention of being informed and participating members of the national and world communities. To better understand why Emporia was able to attract so many distinguished guests, a brief examination of its early development is required. In the formative years of the city's history wc may identify some of the events, attitudes, and preparations Ihat literally set the stage for a procession of renowned visitors.
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