Dr. Mary Kohn shared one of our favorite ongoing projects for the Riley County Genealogical Society at the Manhattan Public Library: the “Lost Towns” research initiative. Started in 2008, this project connects K-State students with community experts to preserve and celebrate Kansas history.

During her talk, Dr. Kohn highlighted some fan-favorite stories from Silkville, Eureka Springs, and the newest addition to the project, Windhorst. Each of these stories offers a glimpse into why settlers came to Kansas, the challenges they faced, and the choices that shaped life on the Great Plains.

Through Dr. Kohn's leadership, the Chapman Center continues to brings together faculty, students, and community members to share the stories of rural Kansas and inspire research that supports thriving rural communities. As a sociolinguist, her work explores how language varies across regions and communities, with a special focus on the Great Plains.

To learn more about our ongoing research collection, visit our digital archive: https://lostkansas.ccrsdigitalprojects.com/