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February's First Friday
Join us at the library on February 6 at 9:30 a.m. for another watch‑and‑discuss learning session. This month we’ll view Mining the Census and uncover the many gems hidden in these rich records.
Far more than names, dates, and locations, census returns can reveal whether someone worked for the WPA, served in the Civil War, immigrated at a particular time, or owned their home. It’s truly a gold mine of information waiting to be explored.
Come be part of the discovery as Marilyn Kirkelie leads this month’s session.
The above image was extracted from an entry in the 1940 U.S. census for Lee O. Jones of Swede Creek in Riley County and shows that he was a stone mason who toiled at road construction for the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The WPA was a New Deal agency that employed millions of jobseekers to carry out public works during the Great Depression.
Community Fair
March Program at MPL
 Join us for a fascinating presentation by Dr. Robert Smith as he traces the dramatic transformation of the American Revolutionary War soldier—from the early days of improvised militia units to the emergence of a disciplined, highly trained Continental Army.
Dr. Smith earned his history degree from the University of Nebraska before completing his MA and Ph.D. at Kansas State University. His career includes distinguished service as Director of the Fort Riley Museum Complex, where he oversaw the full renovation of both the U.S. Cavalry Museum and the 1st Infantry Division Museum. He retired in 2024 after more than a decade of leadership in military history interpretation.
This RCGS program is free and open to all. We look forward to welcoming you.
Sunday, March 22, from 2:30 to 3:30 pm, Manhattan Public Library Auditorium, 629 Poyntz Explore Riley County's Past
 The Riley County Historical Society and Museum has unveiled a brand-new digital collections section on their website. This site provides an unprecedented peek into the thousands of images held by the museum.
Get Involved!
This isn’t just a chance to browse history — it’s an invitation to help preserve it. Visitors can suggest corrections or updates to photo descriptions, ensuring the stories behind these images remain accurate and alive. Explore the collection today: https://rchsdigitalcollections.epistrophypictures.com/
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.
April Program at MPL
DNA and Digitizing: Finding and Sharing of a Family Story
by Lynda Bachelor and Cheryl Bachelor Boothe
Sunday, April 12, 2026, from 2:30 to 3:30, Manhattan Public Library Auditorium
Watch this page for additional information. May Program at MPL
Cora Kimble's Diaries
by Danelle Hall
Sunday, May 31, 2026, 2:30 to 3:30, at the Manhattan Public Library Auditorium |
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Saturday, January 24
Celebrate Kansas
Join Riley County Historical Society at the Wolf House Museum, 630 Fremont St., on Saturday, Jan. 24, to honor Kansas’ 165th birthday. This special event, “Celebrate Kansas,” is on the weekend before the actual Kansas Day. From 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. that Saturday, docents will be in each ...
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Friday, February 6
First Friday Program
Mining the Censues, parts 1&2. There's so much more to the censuses than just a list of names, ages, and location. Depending on the years, you can learn if your ancestor was literate, when they immigrated, whether they worked for the WPA, and so much more.
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Saturday, February 7
Non-profit Community Fair
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Friday, February 13
Board Meeting
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