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
Volunteer
School Field Trip Volunteer
Interact With Our Student Visitors at the Ritchie House
If you like working with young people, this one's for you! In our interactive programs there are opportunities to lead discussions, be one of our historical interpreters, and to guide the groups from one on site spot to another, along with assisting the presenters with time keeping. To contact us, please click here.
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Ritchie House Volunteer Tour Guide
Share the Story
Our visitors come for various reasons. Some are interested in the Underground Railroad, the tumultous times of "Bleeding Kansas", the Civil War, or the Exoduster movement. Some are just curious as to what this building is. Whatever their interest, we have a story to tell! Let the "walls talk" through you as one of our Tour Guide Volunteers! To contact us, please click here.
Shawnee County Historical Society
Standing Committees for members - If you are interested in joining the Shawnee County Historical Society, please click here.
Preservation - Selection of recipients of our preservation awards held in May.
Education - School Field Trips, public tours, promotion and development of Territorial Kansas Studies.
Programs and Events - Plan ongoing and special events for members and the community.
Communications - Producing the quarterly Historical Highlights newsletter, and assisting with other SCHS communication outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, web pages, and email newsletter.
Historic Landmark - Care and development of the Ritchie House site; identifying and supporting historic landmarks in Shawnee County.
Finance, Budget and Audit - Managing the SCHS funds including the investments in the Topeka Community Foundation, identify and apply for grants and annually prepare a proposed budget.
Nominations - Annually selecting a slate of officers and cultivating potential board members.
Membership - Supporting current members and sultivating new members.
If you'd like to become one of our Volunteers or if you'd like to have some additional information on any of these opportunities, click here to call or write!