Research Library & Archives

 

A small but impressive research library and archives are available free of charge for people wishing additional information about the Santa Fe Trail. It is also an important source for those doing genealogical research on early families in Pawnee County.

The Santa Fe Trail Center’s library and archives are open free to the public. The library houses published materials related to the Santa Fe Trail, Kansas History, the American West and museum topics. The museum owns the War of Rebellion series, a collection of the official documents from the Civil War. Books and materials cannot be checked out but reading on site is encouraged. The archives houses materials related to the histories of the Santa Fe Trail, Pawnee County and the historical society. Santa Fe Trail items include a trader file, periodicals and vertical files. School records, marriage licenses, voter registrations, agricultural censuses, family histories, business files, scrapbooks and club histories are just some of the items related to Pawnee County and the surrounding area. There are excellent resources for people doing genealogical research. The archives also houses a large collection of glass "Magic Lantern" slides and approximately 3500 photographs. While there is no charge to use the library, visitors are encouraged to contact the museum for an appointment to ensure that someone will be available to assist them. Both the library and archives are closed if the archivist is unavailable.

The library and archives are open Monday through Friday 9a.m. to 4:30p.m. and every other weekend 9:30a.m. to 4:30p.m.

If you have a question related to the library or archives you may email us at curator@santafetrailcenter.org.