Join us to learn about The 1874 Grasshopper Plague and how it devastated parts of Kansas, led to financial ruin, new farming machinery, and insect extinction.
The 1874 Grasshopper Plague was a devastating infestation in 1874 where immense swarms of grasshoppers, or Rocky Mountain Locusts, descended on the Great Plains, devouring crops, leaving the ground bare, and consuming everything from wooden handles to the clothes off people's backs, which caused widespread hunger and ruin for settlers. This lecture will complement the 1874 Grasshopper Plague Exhibit, present in the Topeka Room from 12/29/2025-3/27/2025.
AGE GROUP: | Adults |
EVENT TYPE: | History & Genealogy |
Our mission is sparking curiosity and connecting our community through literacy and learning. The library features the Alice C. Sabatini Gallery, the Millennium Café, Chandler Booktique (bookstore and gift shop), free meeting rooms, computer training and free Wi-Fi access. The library has a collection of more than 414,000 books and serves more than 81,000 registered borrowers. Bookmobiles make 23 stops Monday-Saturday across Shawnee County. The website tscpl.org serves customers’ needs 24/7. The library offers state-of-the art technology, youth programs that encourage learning and reading, adult learning programs, online learning tools, events, and reference and research tools.
