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Submit Your Ideas!
Time Capsule: Help Kick Off the America250 Celebration in Riley County
As part of our local America250 festivities, residents of Manhattan and Riley County are invited to propose ideas and items for inclusion in a commemorative time capsule. Space is limited, but creativity is encouraged as we gather objects that reflect life in 2026. Submissions may include artwork, letters, stories, music, and both physical and digital items. All proposals must be suitable for any audience.
Submission proposals will be accepted through August 31, 2026, with all entries reviewed by September 30, 2026.
A community event to view the capsule and its selected contents will take place on November 15, 2026, at the Midwest Dream Car Collection Museum. After the event, the capsule will be sealed and later buried on the grounds of the Riley County Historical Museum as a long-term exhibit. It will remain in place for fifty years, with reopening planned for 2076, during the nation’s 300th anniversary.
How to Participate
Everyone is welcome to take part. To review instructions and guidelines for submitting an item, please visit: https://www.rileychs.org/america250-time-capsule-project.cfm
All submissions will be reviewed, and a member of the time capsule committee will contact you with next steps if your proposal is approved. Please do not drop off any items without committee approval.
This project is sponsored by the Riley County Historical Museum and Society.
New England Records at RCGS!
The Riley County Genealogical Society is pleased to announce that, following a successful three‑month trial, we now have a full membership to American Ancestors. As our nation prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary in 2026, this resource arrives at a perfect moment—offering expanded access to early American records, colonial‑era research materials, and the stories of the people who helped shape our country. We invite you to stop by the library and explore what you can discover within this newly accessible database. Our sincere thanks go to Sherry Butler for generously funding this subscription, making these enriched research opportunities possible for our members and visitors.
P.S. It’s especially exciting to dive into their extensive online database of Mayflower descendants, a treasure trove for anyone tracing early American roots.
RCGS Becomes FamilySearch Affiliate Library!!
Interest in discovering ancestral roots has never been stronger—and your next breakthrough may be waiting right here in Manhattan. The Riley County Genealogical Society Library (RCGS) is now officially a FamilySearch Affiliate Library, unlocking an expanded world of genealogy resources for anyone eager to explore their family story.
“Libraries are wonderful local gathering places for learning and discovery. We are excited to have the Riley County Genealogical Society as our newest FamilySearch Affiliate Library,” said Paul Nauta, FamilySearch Public Relations Manager. “Such valued relationships help FamilySearch enable more individuals to experience inspiring journeys of discovery and make more personal family connections.”
FamilySearch, a global leader in family history, partners with select libraries to broaden access to its unparalleled collections. As an Affiliate Library, RCGS now offers patrons greater and more convenient access to FamilySearch’s vast holdings — more than 13 billion searchable names and 6 billion digitized images of historical records from around the world. Even better, you can explore these resources with the support of knowledgeable volunteers and library staff who are ready to help you navigate your search.
FamilySearch continues to add hundreds of millions of new records every year and maintains the renowned FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City. Its collections span billions of birth, marriage, death, census, land, and court records from over 200 countries and territories—an extraordinary trove for anyone seeking to uncover family connections, solve long‑standing mysteries, or simply learn more about the people who came before them.
Your next discovery might be closer than you think. The doors are open. Your story is waiting.
Celebrate Local History in Color
 Discover the inspiring stories of twenty remarkable women connected to Riley County in this beautifully designed coloring book. Published in 2020 by the Riley County Genealogical Society and the Riley County Historical Society, the book commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment — the landmark legislation that secured voting rights for women across the nation.
Engaging, educational, and creative, this coloring book is perfect for history enthusiasts, families, and classrooms. Bring the past to life while honoring the women who shaped our community!
Download our coloring book of drawings and information about 20 women who impacted Riley County here. Learn even more about them from this short presentation.
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Sunday, August 23
Return of the Sacred Red Rock, Documentary Screening and Q&A
The Sacred Red Rock, also known as Iⁿzhúje'waxóbe, was returned to the Kaw Nation in June 2024 after being separated from the tribe for nearly a century. The 28-ton quartzite boulder, originally from the confluence of the Kansas River and Shunganunga Creek, Kansas, was relocated to Allegawaho Memorial Heritage Park, on Kaw Nation ...
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Sunday, September 20
Pie Party
Tall Grass Express
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Sunday, October 18
Photo Preservation and Digitization Workshop
Preserving family photographs isn’t just about saving images—it’s about safeguarding stories for generations. In this hands-on workshop, experts from the Riley County Historical Museum and the Chapman Center for Rural Studies will guide participants through best practices for archiving, handling, and scanning historic photos. Attendees may bring up to ...
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