The Topeka Constitutional Convention met here in 1855 and drafted the first state constitution. This constitution, however, which would have prohibited slavery in Kansas once statehood was attained, was not accepted by Congress. The building also served as the first Kansas statehouse, 1864-1869. For now, in a pocket park to the south of the hall see interpretive panels that relate the 1850s political struggle and that of the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education case.

Note: A dedicated group has been working to open this historical structure for years. As they work on displays and finishing the interior, they will be open minimally so you can see the inside and digest a few banners and a large poster that sharing the first page of this constitution that stated "There should be no slavery in this state..."