Latina/o Collections

The history of Latina/os in Kansas first dates back to the late 19th century, when vaqueros from the U.S.-Mexico border would lead cattle drives to Kansas. In the early 1900s, American agriculture and rail companies began to actively recruit Mexican workers and soon, communities were established across the state. Since then, these communities have continued to grow, and Kansas has seen an influx of immigrants from all over Latin America.

As part of the Kansas Collection, the Latina/o Collections at Spencer Research Library hope to document and preserve the history and stories of Latina/o individuals, families, and organizations from all over the state. If interested in learning more or donating materials, please contact the Latina/o Collections curator.