Vote For John Brown
By Grady Atwater
John Brown was a major figure in American History, and he is indelibly associated with Osawatomie to the point that his nickname is “Osawatomie
Brown.” Brown’s abolitionist crusade made him a nationally and internationally known figure in his lifetime, and tourists flock to Osawatomie today to visit Osawatomie’s historic sites associated with John Brown by the thousands every year. Tourists spend money in our businesses, and spread the word about our history and heritage, and attract more tourists to Osawatomie.
Osawatomie is unusually blessed with historic sites. All communities have history, but Osawatomie is unusual in that we have multiple standing historic sites that tourists can actually see and visit. For instance, John Brown Memorial Park is unusual in that it is a preserved pre-civil war battlefield. The Battle of Osawatomie was fought on the site of John Brown Memorial Park on Aug. 30, 1856, which makes the park a magnet for tourists. Tourists often take family pictures in front of the John Brown Statue in the park, and then walk the battlefield as part of their visit to Osawatomie.
The common denominator in all of Osawatomie’s tourism is John Brown.
Visitors drive to Osawatomie to see where John Brown walked and fought against proslavery forces. Visitors then shop in our stores, eat in our restaurants, and buy goods and services here during their visit to town. If John Brown is voted in as one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas in the People Category, tourism will dramatically increase in Osawatomie, which will help the town’s economy to grow and prosper.
The 8 Wonders of Kansas Contest is an effort by the Kansas Sampler Foundation, a nationally and internationally known organization that works to dispel the myth that there is nothing to see and do in Kansas. In addition, the foundation works to build up Kansas’ rural culture and economy.
The Kansas Sampler Foundation sponsors the annual Kansas Sampler Festival, and works tirelessly to promote small towns in Kansas and rural areas via events, publicity and programs that work to teach rural communities how to grow and prosper culturally and economically.
To vote for John Brown, go to 8wonders.org and you can vote three times per email. If you do not have access to a computer or do not wish to vote on line, ballots are available at the John Brown Museum State Historic
Site. However, it is best to vote online, as a paper ballot only counts as one vote, and the online vote counts as three votes. Voters will vote on 8 historic figures every time that they vote, which give voters the opportunity to vote for John Brown 3 times per email. Voting ends at midnight on October 22.
Osawatomie’s history and heritage are of national and international importance. John Brown’s association with the town attracts tourists from all over the nation and the world, and the 8 Wonders of Kansas
People Contest is an opportunity to help build up the town’s tourism.
Please vote for John Brown!
Short URL: http://osawatominews.com/?p=458
Posted by admin
on Oct 20 2010. Filed under News and Updates, Opinion.
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