Lester Ward: A life's Journey

The Bradford County Historical Society is sponsoring an evening at the Keystone Theatre "Lester Ward: A Life's Journey" written and directed by Mansfield professor, Dr. Gale P. Largey. It will show in the Keystone's historic theatre on April 19, 2007 at 6:30 pm in Towanda.

The film has been shown on public television in an edited version; however, this presentation is an uncut version of the documentary and is 110 minutes in length.

Lester Ward is known as the founder of American sociology and the first President of the American Sociological Society. The film takes the viewer from Ward's birthplace in Joliet, Illinois to his boyhood in Iowa to Bradford County, Pennsylvania where he taught in a country school, to the battlefields of Chancellorsville where he survived after being wounded three times. Ward was a vigorous advocate of the woman's movement and in staunch opposition to class distinctions and racism. He was a man far ahead of his time. Students of sociology, history, the woman's movement, and government will benefit from his knowledge and observations.

Refreshments will be served and displays available for viewing prior to the feature presentation beginning at 6 pm. Professor Largey will be on hand to discuss the film after the presentation. A reception in his honor will follow until 9:30 pm. Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for students.