The Norfolk Forum
THE NORFOLK FORUM t began simply enough: During years the world, the nation, the the Great Depression, a small state, and the city faced the most Igroup of citizens, wanting to challenging of times; The Norfolk learn more about the great affairs Forum remained a constant and its of the time, started a public lecture members have demonstrated an And so it remains today. The Norfolk Forum is now series. At a spring garden party unrelenting faith that knowledge the oldest publicly-subscribed speakers’ forum in in 1933, after an enthusiastic is power. Heads of state alternate the country. The formula remains simple. presentation by the founders, with humorists, actors with advice IT’S STILL THE BEST TICKET IN TOWN! about 100 charter members signed columnists, journalists with the on. A public campaign followed, politicians they cover. with an enrollment booth in the We take pride in remembering lobby of Smith and Welton, the that Margaret Thatcher, Alex venerable downtown department Haley, Ogden Nash, Vincent Price, store. A season’s ticket for all four Henry Kissinger, Pearl Bailey, speakers cost $1.00. They sold Russell Baker, Ken Burns, Cokie out the first year. The mission Roberts, Tom Wolfe, Dave Barry, was to bring speakers to Norfolk George Bush, Walter Cronkite, each year “to present to potential Condoleezza Rice, and a host of members a series of lectures from others have graced our platform. eminent individuals covering Our recent history has brought cultural, literary, and governmental fresh thought and stimulating issues before the nation.” discussion with speakers such as On October 29, 1933, the first Anderson Cooper, Tucker Carlson speaker was Henry T.
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