Resources
Access the essential tools to help with your genealogy or local history research.
Local History & Genealogy
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Explore our books, pamphlets, clippings and other written sources that tell the story of Topeka’s unique history. You will also find photographs, prints, posters, scrapbooks and audio-visual materials that help bring this history to life. The Topeka Room houses the library’s local history collection. Our digital collection includes historical photographs and the Sherwood Smith blueprints.
Newspapers Section
Programs & Classes
Events
Mar
3
Mar 3 | 05:30PM - 6:30PM
Finding Your Family In the Newspapers
Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, Menninger Room 206
Mar
5
Mar 5 | 06:00PM - 7:00PM
Local History Resources
Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, Topeka Room 204
Mar
11
Mar 11 | 03:00PM - 4:30PM
The Historian Is In!
Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, Topeka Room 204
Mar
11
Mar 11 | 05:30PM - 7:00PM
Finding Your Family in Prisons, Institutions, and Asylums
Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, Hughes Room 205
Mar 3 | 05:30PM - 6:30PM
Finding Your Family In the Newspapers
Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, Menninger Room 206
Mar
5
Mar 5 | 06:00PM - 7:00PM
Local History Resources
Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, Topeka Room 204
Mar
11
Mar 11 | 03:00PM - 4:30PM
The Historian Is In!
Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, Topeka Room 204
Mar
11
Mar 11 | 05:30PM - 7:00PM
Finding Your Family in Prisons, Institutions, and Asylums
Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, Hughes Room 205
Genealogy & Local History Articles
February 26, 2026 ·
Local History: The rise and fall of Topeka's Melan Bridge
Between 1858 & 1895 several bridges spanned the river at today's Kansas Ave, but none of them could withstand the regular flooding. In 1898 a bridge was finally built that was thought would last as long as the city itself.
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