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NC Kansas
Welcome to Abilene
Learn more about Abilene by following the links below:

Viola Family Exhibit

Date(s): 01/21/2014 - 05/31/2014
Venue: Jeffcoat Photography Studio Museum
Address: 321 N Broadway Street
Abilene, KS 67410
Telephone Number: 785.263.9882
Email Address: jeffcoatstudio@att.net

Website: jeffcoatstudio.com/

Event Description:
 
Ralph Viola was on his way to Denver to find work and a home in order to relocate his family there from Kansas City in August 1903. And it was on this trip that he met Cecil Brooks, a traveling salesman from Abilene who persuaded Viola to open up shop in Abilene.
 
In February of 1904, Ralph H. Viola opened his own shoe repair shop and, in due course, went on to open other businesses, such as a grocery store, a cabin-camp motel, and of course RHV Hardware, amongst other businesses. Ralph and his with Mattie were very family oriented and all of the children worked for their parents at one time or another. Some of the grandchildren even worked in the family businesses. 
 
Ralph and Mattie Viola, along with their nine children, are all decreased. Their grandchilren and their families continue to carry on that wonderful Viola tradition. Take a trip down memory land and reminisce about the days when you would stop at Viola Corner for a tank full of gas and a cold Pepsi or maybe a new pair of shoes at the Viola Shoe Store.
 
The Viola family has provided delightful memories for Abilene in the last 110 years and an exhibit will run from January 21 to May 31, 2014 at the Jeffcoat Museum. The museum is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday and Tuesday or by appointment. The museum will be open the evening of Friday, April 11 and during the day of Saturday, April 12, which is the weekend of the Eisenhower Marathon, which the Viola family is involved in.
 
Step back into time and learn about Ralph, Mattie and their nine children, Mary, Ralph, Vernon "Short", Loretta, Violet, Theodore "Ted", William "Gig", Victor "Vic" and Albert "Tootie" and their families.

contact info
Julie Roller - Abilene CVB - Director
201 NW Second Street
Abilene, KS 67410
Phone: 800.569.5915
Fax: 785.263.4425
 
 
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