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, November 22nd, the Society is presenting a lecture by Wendi Bevitt. Bevitt will discuss troops in the Civil War including the United States Colored Troops. The presentation will occur by Zoom at 3pm.

If you are wanting to participate, send an email to and a link to this event will be emailed back to you.

Doug Wright's presentation on Topeka minor league baseball. Click here .

Wendi Bevitt's presentation on United State Colored Troops click here. Passcode QeX!Fqa9

Lighting Freedom's Pathway;

Building Heritage & Culture

Click Here To Learn About the Historic Ritchie House

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.

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