Learning politics from the Kansas Oral History Project
Read about a project to preserve and provide access to the voices of Kansans in all walks of life including those in public policymaking.
Genealogy and Local History
Dig into local history – Col. Hughes & the legislative war
Dive into the story behind a struggle for control of the Kansas House of Representatives in the late 1800s.
Uncover personal stories from our community’s past
Stories written by regular people about their lives help us imagine life in Topeka’s past.
Learning About Epidemics & Family History Gives Us Perspective
We all have family members who survived previous epidemics and disease, and we are here as a result.
Examine a New Online Resource for Shawnee County History
The Bulletin of the Shawnee County Historical Society is now available online!
Personal Memories of Monroe School’s Excellent Teachers in the Mid 1900s
Library staffer Luella Minner discusses being a student at a segregated school in the late 1940s & early 1950s.
Using DNA to Bust Genealogy Brick Walls
Explore how you can use sex chromosome DNA to solve family mysteries.
Finding Your Identity
Genealogy can give you a broader sense of who you are and your place in the world.
See Local History in the Making
View symbols & stories of 2020 that show how COVID-19 impacted & continues to impact Topeka & Shawnee County.
Tell Your Pandemic Story
Share your images, objects and stories of 2020 for an upcoming gallery exhibit.
What Do You Know About Juneteenth?
Uncover the history of Juneteenth and find local virtual Juneteenth events.
Find Your Ancestors in the Census
Learn how old Census data can help your genealogy research.