Community Calendar

Children will develop literacy skills through active listening, singing, movement, and sharing a love of stories in a group setting. Please note, this program will not be held on 11/27.

Children ages 3-6 will develop literacy skills through active listening, singing, movement, and sharing a love of stories in a group setting. Please note, this program will not be held on 11/27.

A unique storytime presented in English and Spanish. Please note, this program will not be held on 11/27. Disfrute de una hora de cuentos única presentada en inglés y español. Por favor fíjese que este programa no se ocurre el 27 de noviembre.

The urge to create or possess a visual representation of a specific person – a portrait – is present throughout history. Portraits are created for many reasons: from sentimental to celebratory, for public or private viewing, as memorials, and as icons. .

Until the introduction of photography in the 1840s, portraits were rendered by artists in both two and three-dimensional mediums such as paintings and sculptures.

The Museum’s collection includes a variety of portraits, most of which depict local people. In this exhibition, we learn of portraiture and the people portrayed.

On view during regular Museum hours

March 2025 - March 2026

Tues-Fri 11am-4pm, Sat & Sun 1-5pm

Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum - 204 S Main

Located in the Musem's Lois Kay Walls Gallery - 3rd Floor

A featured exhibit of the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum includes “A Wichita Cottage.” This exhibit authentically recreates a typical middle-class Wichita home of the late 19th century, complete with Victorian adornment and the emerging technology that would soon change domestic life and society in general. Seven individual rooms compose this environmental exhibit. Visit and pay a social call on the residents of a Wichita cottage, this 1890 Victorian house is authentically decorated throughout, from the wooden icebox on the back porch to the combination gas–and–electric ceiling light fixture hanging in the parlor.

Located on the third floor, starting during our annual Wreath Festival and going through to the New Year, the immersive Victorian Cottage exhibit has been decked out for Christmas jubilation. Visitors will get a glimpse of how people celebrated the season over 100 years ago. All that's missing is a roaring fire and a cup of hot cocoa!

November 2025 - December 2025
Tues-Fri 11am-4pm, Sat & Sun 1-5pm
Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum - 204 S Main

In the lobby of the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum, from the Wreath Festival through the New Year, visitors will find the Moore Family Santa Dolls on display. As a yearly tradition that's continued for the last 17 years, the Museum has exhibited a small selection of the Moores' collection -- which is about 150 in total -- for the public to admire. These antique Santas come in various sizes, colors, and expressions. It's hard to pick a favorite!

Santa Claus has long served as a Christmas icon. By the 20th century, Santa Claus had become so popular that many diverse toy manufacturers interpreted his likeness for a variety of uses. Most of the plush toy Santa figures featured in this exhibit date from the 1950s and 60s. Some figures are made of molded plastic, cast metal, rubber, or papier-mache and date earlier in the 20th century.

This exhibit is part of the Museum’s “Windows on Collections,” – A frequently changing exhibit of artifacts from the Museum’s growing collection. Depending upon any given theme, this exhibit ranges from the topical to the bizarre.

November - December 2025

Tues-Friday 11am-4pm, Sat & Sun 1pm-5pm

Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum - 204 N Main

Starting with the Wreath Festival and lasting through to the New Year, the Museum maintains its holiday decorating tradition with garlands and ornaments strewn over the stairs and through the second floor. There, in the West Gallery, visitors will find an exhibit of miniature Christmas trees, created by Wichita artist Sylvia Jackson. With incredible detail and creativity, these trees may serve as inspiration for any Christmas enthusiast.

This private collection of hand-decorated trees has been loaned to the Museum for the holiday season by the artist herself, Sylvia Jackson. Beginning in the 1970s, with the creation of two Victorian-style trees for her sons, the collection has grown as new trees have been designed and displayed during the annual Trees of Christmas event at the First Church of the Nazarene. May the many joys of the season be yours as you share the charm of this very personal collection.

November 2025 – December 2025

Tues-Fri 11am-4pm, Sat & Sun 1-5pm

Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum – 204 S Main

What happens when you push the yellow circle? Make your own interactive book inspired by "Press Here" by Hervé Tullet. This is a drop-in craft for ages 4-11.

WPL is partnering with NexStep Alliance to offer a tech help series, so come visit for assistance with digital skills. One tech topic will be discussed per event in the order listed. Topics will be: Basic Navigation/How to Use Your PC, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Android/iOS Tutorials, AI Usage, Digital Safety/Cyber Security and Social Media Safety, Settings and Troubleshooting/Open Forum. Register online at wichitalibrary.org/events or call (316) 688-9580 to speak with the Angelou Branch.

Join us for a magical holiday experience your family will treasure. Ticketed Santa Event at Watermark Books & Café$30 per child (includes up to 2 adults) Each ticket includes: Story Time with Santa – Gather in the cozy Starry Night Room as Santa reads a festive holiday story. Photo with Santa – Enjoy a professional photo session with Bri Secrest Photography in the Author’s Gallery. All photos from your session will be mailed directly to you after the event. Cookie Decorating – Get creative and decorate your own holiday cookie to take home or enjoy on the spot. Space is limited, so reserve your spot early for a joyful day of stories, cookies, and Christmas cheer.

Become a digital artist and learn how to draw with a stylus and a digital tablet. These tablets can be used in place of a mouse to draw or paint digitally as well as edit photos. Call (316) 261-8500 or visit wichitalibrary.org/events to register.

Join our growing community of writers to learn more about the craft of writing and receive feedback on your own Works-in-Progress. Call (316) 261-8500 or visit wichitalibrary.org/events to register.

North America's largest interactive comedy murder mystery dinner theatre show is now playing in Wichita, KS! Solve a hilarious true crime murder mystery while you feast on a fantastic dinner. Just beware! The culprit is hiding in plain sight somewhere in the room, and you may find yourself as a Prime Suspect before you know it!

Join us for an event that is very different from a traditional mystery dinner show. Our actors are not dressed in costume and are hidden in the audience! This results in a fun, social and interactive evening suitable for all adults.

Each ticket includes our signature award-winning mystery dinner theatre show, along with a full plated dinner, waitstaff gratuity, and plenty of surprises during the show.

We are a group of individuals practicing cultivation of the mind. All ages and people are welcome. Each week we have a thirty minute guided meditation followed by discussion. Our topics include meditation practice and living a life of compassion and contemplation. You do not need to have any experience to join and you will be welcomed by a very loving group of individuals. This is not a religious gathering. Please join us if you could use an hour of deep relaxation!