Why is the Mises Institute in Auburn, Alabama?
In 1982, when the Mises Institute was founded, Auburn University was one of the few universities in the world with members of its economics department particularly tolerant of, or even interested in, the Austrian tradition. The School of Business was hospitable, and persuasively pointed out that the Institute would thrive in Auburn because of the town’s beauty, accessibility, and affordability. After all, if we were to have visiting scholars and students on an ongoing basis, low rents and pleasant living are very important. We opened our doors here in 1983 in a basement room, moved to a shed behind the football stadium, then to the business school in 1989, and finally to our own place near the School of Business in 1996. We adore our town, and so do all domestic and international visitors, even those from ballyhooed lands of fashion and finery. Auburn has its own glorious way about it, and has been very kind to the Mises Institute from the beginning.
