| Kansas Sampler: Homegrown "Explorer" Tourism Bolsters Rural Kansas
The Setting
In the 1980s, as the rural communities of Kansas struggled with the loss of jobs and population and faced the threat of losing their cultural identity, long-time farmer Mil Penner recognized their fragile uniqueness. He set about photographing and documenting these special places and eventually produced two books.
Perhaps even more important, Mil’s devotion to his state came to be shared by his daughter, Marci, with results that would help renew community pride in Kansas’ small towns, instill devotion to preserving cultural traditions and attract visitors to explore and discover Kansas. What Happened Next
Marci decided it was time to make a bold step. The nonprofit Kansas Sampler Foundation was founded in 1993 with the goals of educating the public about Kansas while networking and supporting rural communities.
The Foundation’s work began by helping residents realize that they lived in special places that could appeal to tourists. To help communities identify their resources, Marci developed eight Rural Cultural Elements - architecture, art, commerce, cuisine, customs, geography, history and people.
Turning from the community to the tourist, Marci dubbed the type of visitor she was looking for as an Explorer: “Common characteristics would be people who are innately curious, are able to strike up a conversation with locals, are usually educated, are loyal Kansans, are people tired of the usual tourism commercial attractions, and they want something different.
Key accomplishments over the years include publishing several editions of the guide book, establishing an “Explorers” membership and hosting popular events and programs.
Results
- Three printings of the guidebook sold 22,000 copies. The Kansas Guidebook for Explorers (2005) is sold out. (A few remaining copies can be found at stores.) The guidebook will be placed on the website with listings placed geographically and thematically. Marci plans to begin work on another guidebook in the future.
- The Kansas Sampler Festival attracts 6,000-8,000 attendees annually.
- The Kansas Explorers Club newsletter is now received by 1,750 members.
- The We Kan! Newsletter is mailed to 225 members.
- Hundreds of newspaper articles have recognized award-winning projects of the Foundation.
- Currently, about 150 communities are represented at the annual Kansas Sampler Festival.
Timeline
- 1980s – Mil Penner publishes two photo essay books on Kansas and the prairie
- 1990 – Marci Penner moves from Philadelphia home to Kansas
- 1990 – Father and daughter Mil and Marci Penner publish first guidebook, Kansas Weekend; book signing party held (event became Kansas Sampler Festival)
- 1991-1997 – Kansas Sampler Festival held on the Penner Farm, rural Inman
- 1992 – Mil Penner and Marci Penner come up with concept of the Rural Culture Elements
- 1993 - We Kan! membership and newsletter started
- 1995 –Kansas Explorers Club and newsletter started
- 1998 - Kansas Sampler Festival begins being held in communities around the state
- 2004 – Marketing grant received from Kansas Travel and Tourism Division to help pay for guidebook printing
- 2005 - Kansas Guidebook for Explorers published
- 2007 – The Eight Wonders of Kansas contests begin
Written by Edward M. Richstone
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