Welcome to the Chapman Center for Rural Studies research collection, a digital archive featuring rural Kansas, history, and people! Featured research was conducted by undergraduate students at Kansas State University since 2010. Submissions are edited for accuracy and original content before being published to this site. You are invited to contribute your own histories to the site; tell us your small Kansas town memories. Use the Contact Us tab to share a story, photo, or video from your personal collection to contribute to the historical archive. All contributions are subject to editing and verification by Center Staff. Planning for this project was supported by a grant from Mark Chapman and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Featured Item
The Controversial Beginning of Harper County
Plagued with crime and fraud, this paper discusses the early history of Harper County, Kansas. Originally founded as a "get rich quick" scheme, Harper…
Recently Added Items
Project Prairieview: COVID-19 Education Support and Immigrant Youth Integration in Rural America
"Seeking to better understand the integration of first-through second-generation Latino adolescents in rural America, my study examines education…
Drawing of Clyde Cessna flying Silverwings over the family farm
Drawing of Clyde Cessna flying Silverwings over the family farm on the Cessna Christmas card
Race Pilot Roy Liggett with the CR2, "Miss Wanda"
Race piolet Roy Liggett stands with the CR2, "Miss Wanda". Liggett was flying this plane when it malfunctioned mid-flight, killing him in the crash
Featured Exhibit
Riley County
Riley county was one of the original 33 counties created by the Territorial Legislature on March 8, 1855. In 1852...