The Cohen Center for Kansas History is a special collection and research library dedicated to preserving historic resources in Kansas, and inspiring research, teaching, and creative work on the agricultural, cultural, economic, educational, military, and political histories of Kansas. The Cohen Center is located in the Barton Library on the Barton County campus.
Cohen Center Book Collection
The Cohen Center Book Collection is an accumulation of books, manuscripts, maps, and other literary and historical pieces that have been donated or purchased to fit within the Cohen Center of Kansas History Collection Development Plan. The focus of the collection is preserving resources on Kansas and inspiring research into Kansas history.
Cohen Center History
A testament to the generosity of the late Barton P. and Dr. Mary Davidson Cohen of Leawood, Kansas, the Cohen Center serves as a vital resource within the Barton Library on the Barton County campus.
The Cohens’ dedication to education and history led them to fund the renovation of a dedicated space within the library and contribute more than 8,000 books to establish a specialized collection. Their vision - shared by Barton Community College - was to create a continuously growing repository of knowledge, strengthening the library’s role as an essential information hub for both students and the broader community.
That vision continues to flourish. Over the years, additional donors have enriched the Cohen Center’s holdings with a diverse array of materials covering topics such as agriculture, the Civil War, pioneer life on the plains, Native American Studies, politics, railroads, and the Santa Fe Trail. Today, the collection includes more than 1,700 titles, many in multi-volume sets, preserving historical knowledge and fostering scholarship for future generations.
Beyond its extensive collection, the Cohen Center embodies a spirit of lifelong learning and community enrichment. As it continues to grow, it stands as a lasting tribute to those who believe in the power of education, history, and the written word.