Schools' Field Trips:
Open PDF flyerFall SCHS Tours for schools

Sage Inn, Dover
capitol construction
old Topeka Library, capitol grounds
lily pad, Reinich Rose Garden, Gage Park
Governor Arthur Capper
Chief Abraham Burnett
sculpture, Kansas Museum of History

in-quote [graphic]A lot of people grew up
here and are interested in what
went on in the past. The past should be made interesting. There's still plenty of material that hasn't yet been written.out-quote [graphic]
—John W. Ripley

We welcome your comments!

SCHS Student HistoriansJoin Shawnee County Historical Society

SCHS Student Historians


Join The Ritchie House

SCHS Student Historians
Join SCHS Student Historians

Consider joining
Topeka History Geeks,
a free Facebook site for
individuals who love the city of Topeka and treasure her history.

2011 SCHS Bulletin
The 2011 SCHS Bulletin #85 is The Capital's Storied Capitols, 1856-1886. Editors were Douglass W. Wallace, Jeanne Christie Mithen, and Chris Meinhardt. Copies are $29.99 at the Kansas Museum of History Gift Shop. 1/19/2012

Site hosted by
Blue Skyways, Kansas State Library

"Suprises await those who
take a chance on Topeka
"--insights of a visitor to Kansas. Read the article, which includes SCHS's John Ritchie House.

 

 

Join Us   Lighting Freedom's Pathway; Building Heritage Culture

Shawnee County Historical Society, Topeka and Shawnee County, Kansas
About the Society  
Focus on History
Focus on Preservation
Educational Initiative

Topeka and Shawnee
County, Kansas, possess a
fascinating history. It's a story of building a town amid territorial strife...laying out a railroad empire to the American Southwest...fighting the elements of drought and grasshoppers to keep the family homestead...of good times under the Big Tent and the no-so-good times of local boy Bennie Dickson as Public Enemy No. 1.

water fountain, now in Holliday ParkThis is your story, whether you are a native or a newcomer or once lived in this area of Northeast Kansas. Join the Society and share with others who enjoy learning how our community came to be what
it is today.
Kaw River Project

 

History of Uniontown and Potawatomi settlement in the area
Wed., June 5, 7:00 pm, Citizen Potawatomi Nation Community Center, 806 Nishnabe Trail, Rossville.
Presentation by Michael Stubbs, Wabaunsee County Historical Society, and Jon Boursaw, Citizen
Potawatomi Nation Tribal Member. Plans will be covered to create a state park..
Uniontown site promoted—by Ann Marie Bush, Topeka Capital-Journal, 5/4/2013
See historic photos at C-Jonline web site! Kaw River Project
Willard Bridge over the Kansas River, near Oregon Trail crossingSee May tour


Current SCHS newsletter in full color
May. 2013 New release
SCHS Newsletter On-line only:
FULL COLOR
issue


 

Shawnee County Historical Society logo
Topeka & Shawnee County, Kansas
Capital Area Explorers visit Ritchie Houses
1/12/'13
Education Committee reports: SCHS is partnering with PBS's American Experience and historypin.com for their abolitionist project and documentary. The John/Mary Jane Ritchie story, taking part in the Underground Railroad. See Abolitionist Map of America.PBS's American Experience Abolitionists Map

Civil War Sesquicentennial
1861-1864 | 2011-2014
A Civil War Timeline —NYTimes

 

The Civil War Roundtable of Eastern Kansas meets the last Thursday of each month at the Cox Communication Heritage Education Center, 1118 SE Madison, Topeka.
Lincoln speaks at Cox Hertiage Education Center

   Meetings of the CWRT are free and open to the public. Membership is $15 annually and pays the fees/expenses of speakers. Past presenters have included Wiley Sword, Michael Burlingame, and the Pulitzer-nominated author, Fred Chiaventone.