Senior Wednesdays are informational and entertaining sessions, designed for active seniors and offered by a collaboration of local institutions. Learn more at Seniorwednesday.org

Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum offers their Senior Wednesdays on the 4th Wednesday of each month, January-October.

AUGUST’S TOPIC: HOMEOWNERSHIP, HISTORY, & HUMOR: THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OFFICE HAS IT ALL!

PRESENTED BY JOSHUA PAYNE, TONYA BUCKINGHAM, & KENLY ZEHRING

Did you know there is a county office dedicated to officially recording real estate records going all the way back to 1870?

The Register of Deeds Office records deeds, mortgages, and many other documents that concern your real estate in Sedgwick County. Without these public records, nobody would know who owned a piece of property, what they owned, or how to assess property taxes. Because these records are permanently preserved, over the decades the Register of Deeds staff have collected many interesting, historical, and unexpected documents and filings.

Join us at the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 to learn all about it and so much more!

About the Presenters:

Tonya Buckingham, Sedgwick County Register of Deeds

Tonya Buckingham has served in various roles within the Register of Deeds Office. In 2016, Tonya was elected to serve as our current Register of Deeds. She now manages the recording of all deeds, property documents, and any land-related documents for Sedgwick County. As Register of Deeds, her primary goal is to provide quality customer service, transparency, and ease of access to the records kept within the office. Tonya is committed to constant improvement in services for the citizens of Sedgwick County.

Tonya has held multiple leadership roles in the Kansas Register of Deeds Association, a statewide organization of and for all the Registers of Deeds in Kansas. She has served as treasurer, secretary, and vice president of the Association.  She is a current member of the Property Records Industry Association. These are only a few of the many community organizations she supports. Tonya has a desire to serve the community through volunteer work and leadership positions. These positions have taught her that service to the community is very rewarding.

Tonya earned her degree in Business Administration from Alabama Christian College and a MiniMPA from Wichita State University. She is also a certified Register of Deeds through continuing education from Kansas State University.

Kenly Zehring, Chief Deputy Register of Deeds

Kenly serves as the Chief Deputy Register of Deeds for Sedgwick County, a position she has held since 2018. Kenly’s career in the office began in 2014 as a data entry clerk, progressing through roles as supervisor and trainer before assuming her current leadership position. Prior to joining the Register of Deeds office, Kenly gained valuable experience in the banking industry, which complements her current responsibilities in overseeing land records and financial transactions.

Kenly’s commitment to professional growth is evident in her educational achievements and industry involvement. She holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Wichita State University, completed in 2024, and earned a Mini Master of Public Administration from the same institution in 2019-2020. Additionally, Kenly is a certified Chief Deputy through Kansas State University, demonstrating her specialized knowledge in land records management and public administration. A current member of the Property Records Industry Association, Kenly stays at the forefront of industry trends and best practices.

In her role as Chief Deputy, Kenly leverages her diverse experience and education to oversee daily operations, implement process improvements, and ensure compliance with Kansas recording laws. Kenly’s progression from entry-level to leadership roles within the office underscores her dedication to public service. Beyond her professional duties, Kenly has a strong desire to serve the community through volunteer work and leadership positions, reflecting her commitment to making a positive impact both in her official capacity and as an engaged citizen.

 Joshua Payne, Deputy Register of Deeds—Training Facilitator

Raised in Appalachia and now a proud Kansan, Joshua has served in the Register of Deeds Office for over 20 years. As the Training Facilitator, he educates and coaches new and current staff about the work of the office and assists citizens and staff with real estate-related questions. He provides public classes to help attorneys, professional filers, and others successfully record their documents and understand more about the work of the Register of Deeds Office.

Throughout his decades in the Register of Deeds Office, Joshua’s passion for local history and finding obscure information helps him provide interested citizens with guidance and direction to learn more about their own home’s history.

Doors open at 9:30am
Non-Member Admission Fee – $2 (Annual Memberships available starting at $25- Learn more at: Memberships)
Refreshments provided by the “Friends of the Historical Museum” (served prior to program).

Program starts at 10am  in the DeVore Auditorium (2nd Floor) – Tour to follow at 11am

(Due to capacity restrictions, program has limited seating of 60.)

The Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum’s Senior Wednesday programs are made possible through a generous grant from the Charles and Joanne McIlwaine Foundation.

Don’t miss any of our upcoming Senior Wednesdays in 2025!

September 24th – Women in Wichita Radio, 1922-1960
October 22nd – Museum Docents Present Their Favorites