History of RCGS

RCGS was originally formed as the Manhattan Genealogical Society in 1961 with small group of interested people and a handful of books. They met in the home of Mrs. Herbert W. Woldt who graciously shared her home and library as a meeting place for the Society.

As interest in the Society grew it was decided to schedule regular meetings. New members added copies of their family tree to the library and the size of the library grew.

After 18 months the members decided that their material should be distributed in the form of a newsletter. With that the Society needed to elect officers and establish token dues. As a result, Riley County Genealogical Society (RCGS) was born in 1963 and the newsletter was named KANSAS KIN.

RCGS continued to meet in the Woldt home until 1977 when it moved to the Goodnow House Barn under the auspices of Kansas State Historical Society.

By 1980 RCGS again needed to find a larger space to house the 6000-book collection. The Platt House on Claflin became available and was leased from Riley County. Volunteers made renovations and improvements to the house with donations of money and hard work and the Society moved into it's present location.