Shawnee County Historical Society
Cox Communications Heritage Education Center

The Historic John & Mary Jane Ritchie House and the Bleeding Kansas era
 
1116-1118 SE Madison Avenue 
P.O. Box 2201
Topeka, KS 66601
 
Phone: 785-234-6097
Emergency Phone: 785-224-4156
                         
Historic Ritchie House Tours are available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9 am to 1 pm    Other times of the week, Call  785 234 6097

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Admission Fee for Ritchie House
$.50 Students, $2.00 Adults.

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Upcoming  Programs

December 4th  2pm  

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Annual Meeting at Overland    Station   Topic: Harvey Girls   Cost is $25  To attend.   If you want to be included,  Please send a check to PO Box 2201 Topeka, Kansas 66601 or Press  the button to pay by paypal or credit card to secure your place for a meal December 4th.  Thank you

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​2023 Programs:

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January 8th at 3pm  

Ann Anderson discusses Mid Century Living   in Person at 1118 SE Madison

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January 15th  3pm

Stepson to the Mob, living in Topeka as part of the witness protection program    This is by zoom

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January 22nd   3pm

Chris Kramer on American Native Drums and Spirituality

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January 29th   3pm

Valerie Mendoza   Struggles for Equality Before and After  Brown v. Board   in Person at 1118 SE Madison

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February 5th 3pm

Eric McHenry on Langston Hughes

February 12th   3pm  Super Bowl

                           no program

 February 19th 3pm by Zoom

Cheryl Brown Henderson on her perspective of Brown V Board

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February 26th  3pm

Dave Fisher on Abolitionist Rev.  Fisher

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March 5th    3pm

Curtis Pitts on the past, present and future of Topeka Technical Institute

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All programs are free to Historical Society members however non members will be asked to donate $5  to attend.

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Are you interested in Lithographs of Old Areas of Shawnee county?   We have five of them for sale for $15 a piece plus shipping and handling. 

Click here to see the view of Tecumseh in 1869

Click here to see old Topeka Buildings

Click here to see Topeka in 1869

Click here to see Topeka in 1880
 
Click here to see a Map of the Great Plains
 
If you are interested call 785 234 6097 or send us an email at shawneecountyhistory@gmail.com



Please help the Society by signing up with Amazon Smiles or  Dillon's and designate your purchases to help the Society.   It won't cost you a thing and will help us. Click here and scroll down the page to see how to sign up.









 

Click Here To Learn About the Historic Ritchie House

It's Giving Tuesday: November 29th 
   where non profits like the Shawnee County Historical    Society are seeking donations.   We are hoping you will make a special donation to the Historical Society which helps supports the operation of the Ritchie House, the oldest house in Topeka and the last surviving site of the Underground Railroad in Topeka.

    The Shawnee County Historical Society operates the site at 1116 SE Madison and needs your assistance.   Please Make a one time donation today to the Shawnee County Historical Society using your major credit card or PayPal account to help us preserve and promote the history in our area.  Donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by the IRS under 501(c)(3) rules. Just click the button below to proceed and Thank you