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 Public Tours

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9 am to 1 pm

Call for other times 785 234 6097

Suggested Admission Fee for Ritchie House

$.50 Students, $2.00 Adults.

Special Tours Available for Groups and Organizations

This Coming Sunday, September 27th, the Society is presenting a report by Alan Stahl of the Topeka Fire Department. At 3pm, Mr. Stahl will present a virtual meeting about the History of the Topeka Fire Department. If you are interested, send an email to and a link to this event will be emailed back to you.

Lighting Freedom's Pathway;

Building Heritage & Culture

Click Here To Learn About the Historic Ritchie House

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Upcoming Events in 2020

Mar. 15: Sue Ann Norlin Steel on 11:11, The Carl Fyler Story (WWII pilot) Cox Center, 1118 SW Madison, 3 PM

Mar. 22: Lisa Sandmeyer on Topeka Cemetery Suﬀ rage es Cox Center, 1118 SW Madison, 3 PM

Mar. 29: Doug Wright on Topeka Owls, Topeka Hawks & Topeka Reds: Local Baseball 1946-1961 Cox Center, 1118 SW Madison, 3 PM

April 5th: George Vega speaks on the Topeka High School Walkout in the 1970’s

Apr. 25: Annual Historic Homes Tour Various homes in Topeka, 2-5 PM

Aug. TBA: Educators Night Out, Topeka Uncorked for Field Trips Kansas State Historical Society, 5-7 PM

Oct. 25: Lisa LaRue on the Cherokee and the Civil War Cox Center, 1118 SW Madison, 3 PM

Dec. 6: Annual Membership Meeting Topeka Country Club, 2700 SW Buchanan, NOON