COLUMBUS -- A first-ever attempt to capture the breadth, depth, spirit and culture of the nation's Midwest region was officially launched this weekend with the inaugural conference on the Encyclopedia of the Midwest.

More than 70 senior consulting editors and writers and advisers who are participating in the encyclopedia's compilation met for three days at The Ohio State University, which is leading the effort.

The encyclopedia encompasses the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

"This is an effort to capture the heart and soul - indeed, the essence - of the fascinating mix of people who live and work in the nation's core," said Dr. Richard Sisson, Distinguished Trustee Professor of Political Science at The Ohio State University and one of the three general editors of the encyclopedia. "Just think of the many different groups who call the Midwest their home. Countless millions of people have settled here or have been born here, raised families here, pursued their dreams here, died here, and have fashioned lasting and distinctive things here. But this region is called the nation's heartland for a reason - it is also alive with the mystery and the magic of America. We hope to chronicle it."

Andrew Cayton, Distinguished Professor of History at Miami University, and a co-general editor, noted what he called a growing sense of "place" in the region, as pride in one's geographical origins or locale appears to be growing.

"Family roots, community spirit, devotion to institutions such as universities and athletic teams, and the powerful confluence of dynamics we embrace as 'culture' all seem to be driving us to learn more about who we are, where we are, and the relationship between the two," Cayton said. "Ours will be a fascinating endeavor."

"We are in the early stages of this effort and it was important that we get all the major editors and writers together to share our ideas and get us all on the same page," said co-general editor Christian Zacher, professor of English and at Ohio State director of its Humanities Institute. "We have some of the brightest minds and most talented researchers in the Midwest and beyond collaborating with us on this project, and it was exciting to hear their exchange and their views - it was a microcosm of the Midwest itself."

Zacher explained that the web-site, which will be updated frequently, will contain the latest developments about the project and increasing amounts of information about the region. It is intended as an evolving resource for researchers and the public. It will invite members of the public to provide their image of the Midwest and offer comment about the project and its contents.

The encyclopedia is sponsored by the Institute for Public Humanities and Collaborative Research at Ohio State and has received funds to launch the project from the Columbus Foundation, the Paul G. Duke Fund, and from Ohio State.

Sisson noted that he hopes the encyclopedia will be completed in time for the Ohio Bicentennial in 2003.

"Ohio was the first state in the region to be admitted to the Union," Sisson noted, "and, being an Ohio native myself, I'd like to be able for us to help celebrate this great state's birth with what I'm confident will be a valuable resource for years to come."

The conference also saw the launch of the encyclopedia's web site at www.allmidwest.org.

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