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
Perpetual Persistence: The African American Community of Manhattan Bottoms, 1880-1920
Using the case study of Jeremiah "Jerry" Mitchell, this study documents the early history of Manhattan Bottoms and the African American community…
Recently Added Items
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
The Machine Shop
This small shed is affectionately called the Machine Shop. It was here that Clyde Cessna, his wife, and his children lived from 1912-1914 until a…
Featured Exhibit
Discover Clyde Cessna's '40'
The story of the farmstead that was home to Kansas aviation pioneer Clyde Cessna and foundational to his success and development...