The Washburn University Archives and Special Collections offer access Monday through Friday by appointment.
Please note all of the materials in the Archives and Special Collections are non-circulating.
It is always best to make an appointment at least 24 hours in advance of your desire to work in the Washburn University Archives and Special Collections due to both personnel and space constraints.
This is best done by directly contacting the University Archivist Martha Imparato either by e-mail at martha.imparato@washburn.edu and/or telephone at (785) 670-1981.
Washburn University was founded Feb. 6, 1865 as Lincoln College by the Congregational Church. Note Article Three, which states that the school would offer educational opportunities "to all classes, without distinction of color." On January 3, 1866 the first term opened with 38 students including one person of color. Although it did not state it explicitly, Lincoln College also admitted both genders. All of those who enrolled in the first two terms were high school students. Two college students enrolled in the fall of 1866. Collegiate enrollment gradually increased, but the high school was part of Washburn until 1918, when it was re-organized as Washburn Rural High School.
Lincoln College was located at 10th and Jackson Streets in downtown Topeka, just east of the Capitol in the early stages of construction. The college sold the building in 1872 and moved to the present campus in 1874.
circa 1866 Credit KSHS
