Saturday, September 30, 2006

9/5-7/2006 - Viroqua, WI

Today, I talk about Viroqua, a mere 20 hour car-ride from my city of residence. Like many of you, I was curious as to where the name came from. A trip to the city's charming website revealed as little as may ever be revealed: There are quite a few legends suggesting possibilities, but many of them contain the daughter of a local native American chief (named Viroqua, of course).

Of additional note is the library, in this sleepy city of 4,500 or so. The library is one of the 2,500 or so libraries that Andrew Carnegie donated around the world. Although many may remember Carnegie more for the Homestead Strike or his industrial prowess, his lasting impression on the U.S. is definitely one of philanthropy.

In addition to Carnegie Hall, Carnegie Mellon University and Diplodocus Carnegiei (really) he saw it fit to help libraries spring up around the country. A strong sense of what book learning had done for him, combined with an urge to use his wealth to enrich society, led him to his little "library problem," by which the people of Viroqua, among others, still benefit.

40,000 beneficent steps over these 3 days. Cheers,