Man fulfills childhood dream by visiting, documenting small towns: "Every town's got a story"

Summary

Seth Barnett, a 25-year-old from Nebraska, founded Wandermore, a publishing company that documents and celebrates small towns across the Midwest. With his wife, Elise, Seth has visited every incorporated town in several states, including Nebraska, Iowa, and Minnesota, to highlight their unique stories and history. His travel guides, which fund his adventures, shine a light on often-overlooked places, proving that even the smallest communities have a rich legacy. Seth's work reminds us that every town, no matter how small, has a story worth sharing.

Takeaways

• 😀 Seth Barnett is a 25-year-old from Nebraska who started a publishing company called 'Wandermore' in 2020 during the pandemic to document and showcase small towns in the Midwest.
• 😀 Seth travels across various Midwestern states, creating self-published travel guides that highlight landmarks, local attractions, and places to eat, often focusing on towns that are overlooked or underappreciated.
• 😀 Seth's project is motivated by a childhood dream to visit every town in Nebraska, a goal he began to fulfill during the pandemic after finding an old scrapbook from elementary school.
• 😀 Through his travels, Seth has visited hundreds of small towns in Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, Kansas, North Dakota, and Minnesota, with plans to expand to more states like Colorado.
• 😀 Seth has been able to spotlight small towns and businesses that don’t have large advertising budgets, helping to bring attention and tourism to these areas.
• 😀 He and his wife, Elise, have traveled extensively together. Elise initially didn’t believe Seth’s commitment to the project but has since become his proud partner in the adventure.
• 😀 Seth’s travel guides, which are sold online, fund his future trips, creating a cycle of discovery, documentation, and reinvestment in his next venture.
• 😀 Seth’s work serves to immortalize small towns by documenting their unique characteristics and stories, creating a lasting record for future generations.
• 😀 Seth despises the term 'flyover state' and believes every town, no matter its size, has a meaningful story worth sharing.
• 😀 The story highlights the value of small-town America, emphasizing that these places are full of heart, nostalgia, and community spirit, offering a different pace from urban life.
• 😀 David Begno, the CBS News contributor, praises Seth for his dedication and impact, and also reflects on his own experiences growing up in Louisiana and traveling across the U.S., appreciating the hidden gems of small towns.

Q & A

Who is Seth Barnett and what is his project about?

Seth Barnett is a 25-year-old from Nebraska who founded Wandermore, a publishing company that documents and highlights small towns across the Midwest. He creates travel guides showcasing landmarks, places to eat, and local attractions. His project aims to spotlight towns that are often overlooked, challenging the term 'flyover states.'

What is the significance of the term 'flyover states' to Seth Barnett?

Seth Barnett dislikes the term 'flyover states' as it implies that these regions are unimportant or unworthy of attention. He believes that every town, regardless of its size, has a story to share, and his work aims to highlight the beauty and history of these overlooked areas.

What motivated Seth to start visiting towns across the Midwest?

Seth’s inspiration to explore small towns dates back to his childhood, where he dreamed of visiting every town in Nebraska. This dream became a reality during the pandemic when he revisited a third-grade scrapbook, leading him to recruit a friend to embark on the journey.

How many towns has Seth Barnett visited and documented?

Seth has visited and documented every incorporated town in Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, Kansas, North Dakota, and Minnesota. The number of towns he has visited includes 531 towns in Nebraska, 939 in Iowa, 310 in South Dakota, 627 in Kansas, 355 in North Dakota, and 856 in Minnesota.

What type of content does Seth post on his Facebook pages?

Seth posts travel guides, which include information on local landmarks, things to do, and places to eat. His posts are part of his effort to promote small-town life and share the stories of these communities with a wider audience.

How does Seth fund his travels and books?

Seth funds his travels and the publication of his books through the sales of each book he creates. Each book highlights a specific state he’s visited and documents the towns and experiences he’s encountered there.

What makes Seth’s work important to the communities he visits?

Seth’s work brings attention to small towns that often lack advertising budgets and opportunities to gain recognition. By showcasing these places in his books and online, he boosts local businesses and helps preserve the history of these communities for future generations.

How does Seth’s wife, Elise, feel about his project?

At first, Elise was skeptical and didn’t believe Seth was serious about the project. However, after witnessing his dedication and hard work, she became incredibly proud of him and supportive of his mission to visit every town. She accompanies him on his travels.

What was the reaction to Seth’s work in small towns like Blue Earth, Minnesota?

In towns like Blue Earth, Minnesota, Seth’s work has been met with enthusiasm and appreciation. For example, the town’s chamber of commerce was thrilled when Seth offered to highlight their community, recognizing the value of his work in drawing attention to local landmarks like the Jolly Green Giant statue.

What does Seth hope to achieve by highlighting small towns?

Seth hopes to show that even small towns with few residents have unique stories worth telling. His work aims to make people appreciate the value of these towns and understand that every community, no matter how small, contributes to the cultural fabric of America.