Where to Learn About Topeka’s History: Nine Meaningful Places That Tell the City’s Story

From state-shaping politics to untold stories of resistance and resilience, these Topeka landmarks invite locals and travelers to experience the capital city’s soul through its history.

John Ritchie House

SOUTHEAST TOPEKA

One of the oldest homes still standing in Topeka, the John Ritchie House is more than a historical site; it’s a monument to courage. Built in the 1850s, it served as a stop on the Underground Railroad, offering safe passage to enslaved people seeking freedom. Ritchie, a staunch abolitionist and women’s rights advocate, was a vocal opponent of slavery during Kansas’ volatile territorial years. Today, the quiet rooms and stone walls hum with stories of resistance, making it a profoundly moving stop. Next to the John Ritchie House is Hale Ritchie's home, the son of John, which houses the Shawnee County Historical Society.

Great Overland Station

NOTO ART DISTRICT

Standing near the banks of the Kansas River, the Great Overland Station is a testament to Topeka’s railway era. The building, a magnificent example of early 20th-century architecture, once served as a Union Pacific hub. Today, it’s a museum and event space celebrating railroad history, immigration, and local industry. Exhibits tell the story of westward expansion and Topeka's role in shaping the region’s future. Walking beneath its soaring ceilings and time-worn clocks, it’s easy to imagine the hope and hustle that once flowed through this station.

Kansas Statehouse

DOWNTOWN

No visit to Topeka is complete without a stop at the Kansas State Capitol, where the political heart of the Free State beats with bold ideals. It towers over the city with its iconic dome and is a living testimony of democratic ambition. Inside, John Steuart Curry’s murals - including the infamous Tragic Prelude, a depiction of abolitionist John Brown - ignite the imagination with fiery, conflicted scenes of Kansas history. Guided tours reveal the stories behind the lawmakers who shaped state. For those unafraid of heights, the dome climb offers panoramic views and a chance to reflect on how far Kansas has come.

Constitution Hall

DOWNTOWN

Located just steps from the Statehouse, Topeka's Constitution Hall is an unassuming building where free-state advocates met in 1855 to draft a constitution for Kansas that excluded slavery, igniting fierce political battles. The historic site recently underwent a restoration of the building, and has added interpretive signage. Today, Constitution Hall is part of the Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area.

Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site

SOUTHEAST TOPEKA

Monroe Elementary School, a stately red-brick building on Topeka’s southeast side, became the epicenter of one of American history's most consequential court decisions. Today, it stands as the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site, honoring the 1954 Supreme Court case that ended legal segregation in public schools. Through powerful exhibits, oral histories, and restored classrooms, the site encapsulates the story and the courage of families who stood up to systemic racism. It’s not just a place to learn about civil rights—it’s a place to feel them. The story that began here echoes across the country, and it started with ordinary parents demanding extraordinary change.

Old Prairie Town at Ward-Meade

POTWIN

Before Topeka was even founded, Anthony Ward had staked his homestead claim. The stately mansion, with its grand white columns, was built in the 1870s. Before that, the Ward family lived in a humble wooden cabin. Today, the house, surrounding gardens, and Old Prairie Town are operated by the Shawnee Co. Parks and Rec.

Historic Topeka Cemetery

EAST TOPEKA

Set on a hillside with views that stretch across the city, Topeka Cemetery is more than a resting place—it’s Topeka's history set in stone. Founded in 1859 by Dr. Franklin Crane, it’s where governors, veterans, suffragists, and pioneers who helped build the city are buried. A self-guided walking tour reveals headstones etched with names that have shaped Kansas history, including that of Vice President Charles Curtis, the first person of color to serve as vice president and the only one of indigenous heritage.

Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library

CENTRAL TOPEKA

Located on the second floor of the city’s award-winning library, the Topeka Room is a quiet treasure trove for those who love peeling back the layers of time. This special collection focuses on Topeka and Kansas history—everything from yearbooks and photographs to rare books and microfilm. Librarians here act as historians in their own right, helping visitors uncover genealogical records or local history. It’s a contemplative space, ideal for researchers, writers, or anyone seeking to connect with the local stories that don’t make it into textbooks.

Kansas Museum of History & Kansas State Archives

WEST TOPEKA

After a multi-year renovation, the Kansas Museum of History reopened in November 2025—completely transformed. Throughout the main gallery, now grouped by themes, there are many connections between the shared history of Topeka and Kansas. In a separate wing are the Kansas State Archives. It's open to the public for researching local or family history.