Burritt College Centennial Celebration, August 13-15, 1948 Address by Charles Lee Lewis

In this commemorative address, an alumnus looks back to the birth of a modest college a century earlier, inviting listeners into a time‑capsule of 1848. He sketches the rugged landscape of Van Buren County, the rough roads, the fledgling railway, and the scarcity of higher‑learning options in a young Tennessee still finding its footing. Against this backdrop he weaves national headlines—from the end of the Mexican‑American war to the gold rush and European revolutions—showing how the college’s founding was part of a larger wave of hope and expansion.

The speech also pays tribute to Elihu Burritt, the “Learned Blacksmith” whose name graces the institution, and explains why a name can shape character and destiny. References to contemporary literary giants and the spirit of reform illustrate the cultural richness surrounding the college’s early days. Listeners are treated to a vivid, affectionate portrait of a community that, despite its size, has endured and inspired generations.