The Historic Ritchie House
Home of John and Mary Jane Ritchie
Kansas Territorial Settlers of Topeka and a stop on the Underground Railroad
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Cox Communications
Heritage Education Center
Shawnee County Historical Society
1116 and 1118 SE Madison Street
Topeka, Kansas 66601
785-234-6097
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Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9 to 1pm However the two sites are closed for the Holidays until Thursday, January 2nd, 2025.
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Adults $2.00 Students $.50
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Learn about the Bleeding Kansas era of the 1850's. And see an Underground Railroad Site and learn about the quest for Freedom before the Civil War.
Click on picture above to learn more about the House built in 1856
In the coming weeks, the Shawnee County Historical Society will present these various programs.
2025 Programs
January 26th Lofts in Topeka 3pm Mark Burenheide at 1118 SE Madison
February 2nd Topeka Radio Stations 3pm Marshall Barber at 1118 SE Madison
February 16th Old Movie Theaters 3pm Bill Shaffer at 1118 SE Madison
March 2nd Nick Chiles 3pm Sonja Czarnecki at 1118 SE Madison
March 16th Civic Theater 3pm Shannon Reilly at 1118 SE Madison
March ?? Show and Tell 3pm 1118 SE Madison
March ?? Rossville Baseball Stadium 3pm Undecided where
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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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The Shawnee County Historical Society formed in 1946. It's founders recognized the need to preserve the facts and legends of the early days of our county up to more recent times.
The Historic Ritchie House
and Cox Communications Heritage Education Center
Shawnee County Historical Society
1116 and 1118 SE Madison Ave
P.O. Box 2201 Topeka, Kansas 66601
785 234-6097
Join and Support
Mission
Our mission is to encourage the preservation of, research into, and an appreciation of the history and heritage of Shawnee County, Kansas. We serve by using these resources to educate our citizens about our County and State's place in the evolution of freedom in our country, and by encouraging people of all ages to be well-informed and active citizens.
About the Society
Click for Shawnee County Historical Society Website
Membership
Membership in the SCHS is from January 1 to December 31 of each year. There are three levels of support. The Society appreciates and greatly benefits from the highest level of membership in which you are able to participate. The SCHS is a 501(c)non profit organization financially supported solely by its members and contributors.
Click to Join
Benefits from Membership
*Historical Highlights newsletter mailed to your home
* invitation to special member events through the year
* discount on SCHS publications
* help build tomorrow's citizen leaders by equipping them with a sense of our local, state, and national history.
* you're supporting local historic preservation
