The Leavenworth County Historical Society preserves and researches more than 30,000 historic glass plate negatives documenting the first century of Leavenworth. These images capture people, places, businesses, street scenes, and community life—offering a rare visual record of early Kansas history.
A Window Into Early Leavenworth
Photographers in the late 1800s and early 1900s used glass plate negatives to create remarkably detailed images. The photographs preserved in this collection help today’s visitors and researchers see early Leavenworth as it looked and lived—portraits, storefronts, civic life, military history, and everyday moments.
Purchasing prints from the collection helps support preservation and continued research.
Who Was Miss Mary Ellen Everhard?
Mary Ellen Everhard (1887–1971) was a Leavenworth photographer whose dedication helped preserve these historic images for future generations. Over time, she acquired and safeguarded thousands of glass negatives from earlier studios—protecting a visual record of Leavenworth County that might otherwise have been lost.
Today, the Historical Society continues that mission through careful archival storage, identification work, digitization efforts, and public access through exhibits, research, and historic print sales.
What Is a Glass Plate Negative?
Before modern film and digital photography, many photographers created images on glass plates coated with light-sensitive materials. These plates produced exceptionally detailed photographs and became a primary method of photography in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Why It Matters
Because glass plates were fragile and easily lost or damaged, surviving collections are rare. This archive provides an extraordinary resource for understanding Leavenworth’s people, architecture, businesses, and community life through time.
Explore Online or Order Prints
Many images from the collection are available through online exhibits and research resources. If you’re looking for specific family names, locations, or themes, our team and volunteers may be able to help guide your search.
- Virtual exhibits highlight themed selections of photographs.
- Historic prints are available for purchase to support preservation.
- Research requests can help locate portraits, addresses, and historic scenes.
Support Preservation & Research
Your support helps protect fragile historic materials and expand access to Leavenworth County history through exhibits, research, and education.