TCHS presents programs on the Fourth Tuesday of every month (except June, July, November and December).
These program meetings are normally held in the Reno Methodist Church on the museum site at 201 W. Washington Street in Tonganoxie. The meetings begin at 7:00 pm and include a brief business meeting and an historical program.
All members of the community are welcome. There are refreshments after the program and there is never a charge.
The Museum is is now open to visitors on
Tuesdays from 9 am to 4 pm, Wednesdays from 9 am to noon, and Saturdays – 10 am to 2 pm!!!
Other times can be arranged by appointment.
We welcome all new-comers and visitors!
September 19, 2023
201 W. Washington, Tonganoxie, KS
The Tonganoxie Community Historical Society & Museum will host a new traveling exhibit telling the story of the 60-mile segment of the Victory Highway that connected Kansas City and Topeka, about the road culture that grew up with the new highway, and how it impacted the lives of people along the road.
This exhibit is the result of a partnership between the Watkins Museum of History and the Tonganoxie Community Historical Society, with assistance from the Wyandotte County Museum,the Gallup Map Company, and the Kansas State Historical Society.
The exhibit will premiere on September 16 at Tonganoxie Days in the old city council chambers on Delaware Street. From September 19 through October 14, the exhibit will be on display at the Museum during regular hours.
October 21, 2023
201 W. Washington, Tonganoxie, KS
The next Barn Block Workshop will be held on Saturday, October 23, 2023 from 9am to 2pm.
The class fees include materials and instructions to create your own Barn Quilt Block. Patterns are available at the class or you can bring your own. The 2' x 2' and 4' x 4' blocks are MDO (medium density overlay) signboard, primed with an exterior paint. Exterior paints in many colors are available at the class. Costs for the Barn Block Workshops are $65 for a 2' x 2' block and $180 for a 4' x 4' block.
Send an email to TCHSTonganoxie@gmail.com if you are interested in signing up for this fun day in the barn at the historical society.
Fourth Tuesday Program
August 22, 2023 - 7:00PM to 8:30PM
201 W. Washington, Tonganoxie, KS
"In the Eye of the Border Storm:
The Under Ground Railroad at Quindaro, Kansas Territory 1857"
Presented by Dr. Steve Collins
The Tonganoxie Community Historical Society will welcome Dr. Steve Collins for his program: In the Eye of the Border Storm: The Under Ground Railroad at Quindaro, Kansas Territory 1857.
The presentation focuses on the history of this Free State town and its Under Ground Railroad from the arrival of Wyandot Natives to the issue of the final copy of the Quindaro Chindowan Newspaper in Summer of 1858.
June 24, 2023 - 7:00PM
201 W. Washington, Tonganoxie, KS
This Saturday evening we're partnering up with the Tonganoxie Public Library for an evening around the campfire.
We're excited to have Native American storyteller Bluebird Taylor lead us in stories and basket weaving.
We'll have water, smores, popcorn, and sausages on sticks. You're more than welcome to bring your own cooler and drinks (just no alcohol, please), and we do suggest you bring lawn chairs for seating.
June 14, 2023
201 W. Washington, Tonganoxie, KS
Happy Birthday to the Tonganoxie Community Historical Society’s Museum!!!The Grand Opening of the Museum was twenty years ago on June 14, 2003.
A big thank you to all the volunteers and donors who made this museum possible as it was truly a labor of love. And we continue to be grateful to all who donate their time and resources to this little gem. Happy 20th!!!
We have pictures on our Facebook page from the ribbon cutting held that special day, as well as other pictures from the Grand Opening and the many volunteers and guests in attendance.
June 5-9, 2023: 9am-noon
201 W. Washington, Tonganoxie, KS
"Stars of Kansas - History Meets Science"
TCHS History Camp 2023, "Stars of Kansas - History Meets Science," was held June 5-9, 2023. We had 19 kids going into 4th, 5th and 6th grades learning about communication, paleontology and water and it is only Wednesday!
History Camp Meets Science 2023 ended Friday for our 19 campers and volunteers. Thursday was Transportation Day and Friday was Farm Chemistry Day. Ended camp with making homemade ice cream and sharing with campers’ families. Thanks to all for another amazing History Camp.
May 29, 2023 - 7:30 am to 9:30 am
201 W. Washington, Tonganoxie, KS
Fifth Annual Biscuits & Gravy Breakfast
Flag Ceremony by VFW Post 9271 & American Legion Post 41
Reveille by Boy Scout Troop 357
Museum Open - Donations Accepted
All proceeds benefit the Tonganoxie Community Historical Society
Fourth Tuesday Program
May 23, 2023 - 7:00PM to 8:30PM
201 W. Washington, Tonganoxie, KS
"Faith and Camp Funston"
Presented by Patricia Cecil
The Tonganoxie Community Historical Society will host Patricia Cecil for a program on “Faith and Camp Funston.” Camp Funston, located at Fort Riley near Junction City, was the largest of 16 divisional training camps built during World War I to house and train soldiers. Recruits encountered men from unfamiliar places, ethnicities, and religions. The camp was also the site of the first outbreak of influenza during the pandemic of 1917-1918. This talk explores the ways in which servicemen experienced and expressed their faith in this camp as they prepared for war overseas.
Patricia Cecil is curator for faith, religion, and WWI at the World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri. She promotes an understanding of the vital roles of faith and religion in WWI and their impact on the global community.
Fourth Tuesday Program
April 25, 2023 - 7:00PM to 8:30PM
201 W. Washington, Tonganoxie, KS
"A Moth on the Publick Purse: A Short History of Fort Osage"
Presented by David Bennett
The Tonganoxie Community Historical Society will host David Bennett for a program on “A Moth on the Publick Purse: A Short History of Fort Osage”. Built under the direction of General William Clark of the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition, Fort Osage was established in 1808 as a military outpost in the newly acquired Louisiana Territory.
David has been a scholar and historic interpreter for 43 years. He is a former military interpreter for Fort Osage, National Historic Landmark and a volunteer for Jackson County Parks and Recreation since 1985. He is an author of books and numerous articles. Mr. Bennett is the founder and coordinator of the Annual War of 1812 in the West Symposium and he is also the founder of the 1st United States Infantry-Clemson’s Company and Missouri Rangers living history organization in 1991.
Fourth Tuesday Program
March 28, 2023 - 7:00PM to 8:30PM
201 W. Washington, Tonganoxie, KS
"The Civil War in Kansas"
Presented by Will Haynes, Director of Engagement and Learning, Watkins Museum
The Tonganoxie Community Historical Society will host Will Haynes for a program on “The Civil War in Kansas.”
Will is the Director of Engagement and Learning for the Watkins Museum of History in Lawrence. His tasks at the museum include planning and promoting public events, managing volunteers, and contributing research and text for exhibits. Will is currently working on two Civil War history book projects. He earned a Ph.D. in history from the University of Kansas and has contributed to public history projects involving the New York Times, the Truman Library Institute, and the Kansas City Public Library.
March 18, 2023 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
201 W. Washington, Tonganoxie, KS
The next Barn Block Workshop will be held on Saturday March 18th from 9am to 2pm.
The class fees include materials and instructions to create your own Barn Quilt Block. Patterns are available at the class or you can bring your own. The 2' x 2' and 4' x 4' blocks are MDO (medium density overlay) signboard, primed with an exterior paint. Exterior paints in many colors are available at the class. Costs for the Barn Block Workshops are $65 for a 2' x 2' block and $140 for a 4' x 4' block.
Send an email to TCHSTonganoxie@gmail.com if you are interested in signing up for this fun day in the barn at the historical society.
Fourth Tuesday Program
February 28, 2023 - 7:00PM to 8:30PM
201 W. Washington, Tonganoxie, KS
Memories: Identifying Old Photos of Tonganoxie People and Places
You may have old photographs of Tonganoxie people and places that you are not able to identify or would like to know more about them. Please bring them to this program. We will discuss these photographs and try to identify the various people and places in them.
The program will begin with a brief business meeting followed by sharing and discussion of the photographs.
February 16, 2022 from 11am – 7pm
United Methodist Church - 328 East 4th Street
Tonganoxie, KS 66086
Our Annual Chili Supper will be held on Thursday, February 16, 2023 at the United Methodist Church in Tonganoxie.
Enjoy excellent company with your lunch or dinner and support your local museum at the same time. Served with crackers, relishes, dessert and drink. Tickets: Adults $10.00 - Advance Tickets $9.00
For more information, or if you wish to volunteer or purchase advance tickets, please contact Kris Roberts 913-704-7043 or Janet Burnett 913-244-4157
Fourth Tuesday Program
January 24, 2023 - 7:00PM to 8:30PM
201 W. Washington, Tonganoxie, KS
Lyda Burton Conley and the Strength of the Wyandot Women
Presented by Judith Yunghans Manthe
The Tonganoxie Community Historical Society will host Judith Yunghans Manthe for a program on Lyda Burton Conley and the Strength of the Wyandot Women.
Judy is Principal Chief of the Wyandot Nation of Kansas. She has devoted her life to teaching others of the Wyandot history and her heritage. Lyda Conley and her sisters fought to save the Huron Cemetery in Kansas City, Kansas. In 1910 she was the third woman and the first Native American to argue a case before the Supreme Court of the United States.
There are annual events to watch for, all of which are open to the public. These include the Picnic in June and the Holiday Party in December.
Our 1936 Fire Pumper Truck is a regular in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in March and the Fair Parade in July.
We also have several annual fundraisers:
See what's been happening at the Historical Society!
How Many Towns Can You Name that were vibrant communities in the late 1800's and early 1900's? Find out where they were, what made them successful, and what happened to them. Our first Ghost Town Bus Tour in May of 2018 focused on towns north and east of Tonganoxie.
TCHS is planning a second Ghost Town Bus Tour.
Watch for the date of the second TCHS Ghost Town Bus Tour. This tour will focus on the southern part of the county.