While best known as being one of the founders of the city of Emporia, the impacts of Preston Plumb can be felt all across the nation.
Plumb’s impact, life and legacy were all recently detailed in the book “The Forgotten Senator: The Life and Character of Preston B Plumb.” Author Johanna Wickman came to Emporia Wednesday and Thursday for a series of public events including a book discussion at the Lyon County History Center Thursday afternoon.
Following the discussion, Wickman spoke with KVOE News and stated that Plumb, a former US Senator, did much more than just help to shape the identity of Emporia he was also a major key in the creation of several national policies and agencies.
In addition to the impacts he had on modern society, Plumb was also highly respected by his colleagues on both sides of the political aisle. Wickman says the best example of this is the fact that Plumb was the first and, to her knowledge, only US Senator to be unanimously re-elected.
In addition to Thursday’s book discussion, Wickman also took part in a come-and-go meet-and-greet event at Red Rocks State Historic Site and a presentation on Plumb Thursday evening.
Wickman began researching Plumb in 2012 while researching the 11th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, Plumb’s regiment that was stationed in Casper Wyoming at the end of the Civil War. She released “The Forgotten Senator” this past March and is now working on several projects connected to both Plumb and the 11th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry.
Humanities Kansas provided the funding to support Wickman’s trip to Emporia.
