Community Calendar

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

Learn some tips and tricks to streamline your workflow and make your life easier in Excel. Call (316) 350-3261 or visit wichitalibrary.org/events to register.

Come to the Alford library for some relaxing arts and crafts. Adults are invited to hang out together and create a miniature bookcase from small tins in September, color coloring pages in October, make dollar-bill origami in November, and play board games in December.

Join us for an art activity that encourages self-reflection and mental well-being in a judgment-free space. 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.

Wear your pajamas and bring your favorite stuffed animal or toy. Leave the toy overnight for its own library sleepover. Return the next day to retrieve your toy and photos of its adventures. For ages 3-8.

ShowerUp: Mobile Showers And Personal Care ShowerUp serves those experiencing homelessness and anyone in need by providing mobile showers, hygiene resources, and personal care. It’s our goal to Shower Grace, Hope, and Love with everyone.

Bring your current project and enjoy the classic needle arts in the company of others who share your interest in knitting, crocheting, cross-stitch and weaving. All skill levels are welcome. Please note this program will not occur on 12/24.

Waddle on in for a puppet show featuring our favorite flightless cold weather friends-- Penguins! Best for ages 3-6, but families of all ages welcome.

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

Join in the discussion of We Rock book club for "All-True Travels and Adventures of Lidia Newton" by Jane Smiley in October, "Milk Lady of Bangalore: An Unexpected Adventure" by Shoba Narayan in November, and "Virgin of the Small Plains" by Nancy Picard in December.

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) 337-9125.