Center receives $25,000 Grant
ESU Media Relations
Thursday, August 28, 2008
The Center for Great Plains Studies on the Emporia State University campus has received from the Kansas Humanities Council a $25,000 grant to study pioneer Kansas photographer F.M. Steele.
In 1890 at age 24 Steele arrived in Dodge City, where he outfitted a buggy with a portable darkroom and ventured out onto the open range to photograph cowboys at work. Over the next four and a half decades Steele documented all aspects of life in the southwestern plains: farming, railroad construction, irrigation projects, sugar production, small town life, rural scenes, and people.
Steele’s photographs, especially those of cowboys, are well known and often published, but usually without attribution.
A major function of this grant is to hold a public meeting at the Kansas History Center in Topeka at which authorities in documentary studies, photographic history, and the aesthetics of photography will discuss Steele’s life and work. At least three smaller meetings will be held at cities in southwest Kansas where Steele was active.
In addition, the Center, with the assistance of the Kansas State Historical Society, will mount a traveling exhibit of representative photographs that will be available for touring.
“F.M. Steele’s photographs documenting life and work in the southwestern plains rank with those of L.A. Huffman in Montana and Erwin E. Smith in Texas,” said Jim Hoy, Center director. “Our hope is that this project will help to bring him the same recognition that these two photographers enjoy.”
Many opportunities for public involvement will be available with this program grant. For additional information about volunteering, pioneer Kansas photographer F.M. Steele, or about the Center for Great Plains Studies please phone 620-342-5574, or visit www.emporia.edu/cgps.