November 23, 2018
You are reading “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical
Society.
Throughout
most of the 20th century and now into the 21st century
4-H and Extension programs expanded the educational opportunities for Geary
Countians of all ages. The Extension
program is an educational arm of America’s land grant colleges and universities
where information and training on agricultural methods, health, sanitation,
home economics, finances and many other topics are made available.
Our
community got its first opportunities to take advantage of these programs when
Paul B. Gwin was selected as the first “county agent” in 1925. Paul envisioned 4-H clubs located in various
parts of the county and his approach was to find leading families in each
area then enlist their support in
reaching the young people in that community.
In the first year there were three 4-H clubs with a total of 111
members.
In 1926 he
organized the first 4-H camp in the state with the 4-H youth from Geary and
Dickinson counties camping at the Lutheran church camp called
“Wa-Shun-ga”. The Geary County 4-H fair
was started in the late 1920’s with club members displaying the results of the
r project work. At that time the fair
exhibits were displayed in the Junction City Community House at 10th
and Franklin, which is now the Eagles Hall.
A tent was set up outside for the livestock show. After the opening of the Municipal Building
in 1937, the auditorium was used for exhibits and livestock was house in a
large building near the present Junction City Sales Barn. Later a livestock
building and pole barns were constructed on West 12th Street and the
site was used until the present 4-H/Senior Citizens Center was
constructed.
Paul Gwin
was a selfless community hero during his professional career and many years, even
after his retirement, he continued to give his all “to make the best better” in
Geary County until he died in 1991 at the age of 98.
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