Mission

The Kansas Historical Society is the state agency charged with actively safeguarding and sharing the state's history to facilitate government accountability, economic development, and the education of Kansans. This is accomplished by collecting, preserving, and interpreting materials and information pertaining to state government and Kansas history.

Vision

To enrich people's lives by connecting them to the past.

Overview

The Kansas State Historical Society was established in 1875. In fiscal year 2010 agency programs and services drew more than seven million people. Our collections and services are accessed in person and virtually through a variety of web-based resources. Historical Society programs are diverse and serve a large number of the state's population as well as out-of-state patrons. The agency plays a critical role in state government by being the repository and caretaker of state records. We also administer both state and federal historic preservation programs that bring economic development to communities across the state. The Kansas Historical Society is the state agency that provides curriculum materials on state history to our K-12 schools helping them to meet their state-required coursework. The agency also plays a significant part in the state and local economies through its museums and historic sites.

The programs and services of the agency are carried out by five divisions: Administration, Cultural Resources, Museum and Education, Research Collections, and State Archives.