Tuesdays, March 21 - April 4, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. 

Emporia, Kansas, was founded as an anti-slavery, free-state town in 1857, and was drawn into guerilla warfare known as "Bleeding Kansas." The class documents pioneers who settled Lyon County in three timelines: 1) up to1865; 2) 1866-1900 3) 1901-1945. We'll study Emporia and surrounding Lyon County's interest in culture and music. While technology physically improved farming results, the cultural refinement of music and plays was just as important in advancing the quality of farm life. The transformation of rural life to a more educated and cultured world validates the migration of settlers from the Old World's famines, religious persecution and commoner exploitation.