TONAWANDA FALLS LYCEUM

  Throughout his life, Ely Parker was an avid Reader.  His principal motivation for mastering the English Language was to equip himself for deciphering the wisdom hidden in such Books as the Missionaries at Tonawanda were fond of quoting.  Thus it came as no surprise that upon returning to "The Rez." following his disappointment at being rejected as a Union Officer-candidate he decided to establish a "trading-post" as well as a lyceum.  Recalling how Ben Franklin had pioneered the concept of "Lending Libraries" at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Ely decided to set up a "Trading Post" where Readers like himself could acquire Books and trade thoughts with "Kindred Spirits".  He may have dreamed that one day there would be a network of Book-Exchanges such as this where the primary currency would be insatiable curiosity for Literary stuff.

   The latter-day version of Ely Parker's "Exchange" exists in Cyperspace on the ALIBRIS WEBSITE(www.alibris.com) as              ELY'S TRADING POST

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