This study has presented a comprehensive narrative and overview of the nature of and changes in civic engagement in the city of Muncie over the last 75 years. The evidence suggests that the people of Muncie today are just as involved with their community and with their fellow Munsonians as they were in the 1920s and 1930s. However, the expression of this engagement has changed in the intervening years as people have moved away from direct participation in voluntary societies and clubs such as the Elks and Masons and toward indirect participation in professionally run organizations such as the United Way and various sports leagues. Participation in the past meant attending weekly meetings and taking part in elected leadership of these groups while today's participation usually takes the form of one-time donations to and attendance at events hosted by, professionally managed organizations. / Department of Political Science