The Kansas Historical Society, established in 1875, is a state agency. Designated as the trustee of the state in 1879 and as the repository of official government records in 1905, the Historical Society collects and preserves the story of Kansas History. .The mission of the Kansas Historical Society is to assist people in understanding and appreciating their Kansas heritage and how it relates to their lives. The Historical Society's divisions are Administration, Cultural Resources, Museum and Education, and State Archives The Kansas Historical Foundation is an IRS determined 501(c)(3) non-profit, a sister organization of the Kansas Historical Society, a state agency. The Foundation and serves as the fund raising, fund management, membership, and retail organization. The Foundation's mission is to support and promote Kansas history through the work of the Kansas Historical Society, a state agency.