Commemorative Books for Cities & Municipalities
COMMEMORATIVE
CITY HISTORY & ANNIVERSARY BOOKS
Turn your community’s milestones into a professionally published book.
Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, honoring civic leaders, documenting a major project, or preserving local history, Jenkins Group partners with cities and local governments to create high-quality commemorative books that tell your story with care and credibility. From concept to print, we handle the details so your team can focus on your mission.
Commemorative books are ideal for:
- Cities and municipalities
- Towns and villages
- Counties and local government agencies
- Public sector organizations and community groups
No matter the size of your community, we’ll tailor your municipal history book to your goals, audience, and budget.
Why Cities Publish Commemorative Books:
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Celebrate major anniversaries and milestones
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Honor civic leaders, staff, and community contributors
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Document major infrastructure projects or initiatives
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Share the story of growth, resilience, and local impact
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Create a meaningful gift for stakeholders, donors, and partners
WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS ARE SAYING
RECENT PROJECTS
CITY OF LEAWOOD
To celebrate its 75th anniversary, the City of Leawood partnered with Jenkins Group to publish a commemorative book, Leawood: The Journey Continues, a follow-up to the city’s 50th anniversary volume.
Read our blog to see how this beautifully crafted publication captures Leawood’s growth, community spirit, and vision for the future, and how commemorative books can serve as both a historical record and a meaningful community keepsake.
CITY OF PLACENTIA
Founded in 1926, the City of Placentia has grown from a small agricultural community into a vibrant city rooted in history, service, and community pride.
To mark the City’s 100th anniversary, the City of Placentia partnered with Jenkins Group to produce a commemorative book that reflects on a century of growth, stories, and the people who have shaped the community.
End-to-end publishing for Local Governments
Most municipalities do not have an in-house publishing team. That is where Jenkins Group comes in. We provide a turnkey publishing solution that removes the complexity and guesswork around creating a book. Your dedicated team will be with you every step of the way, ensuring your final publication is professional, polished, and aligned with your goals.
Manuscript Development
Pre-Press Production
Manufacturing: Printing & Binding
Marketing, Sales & Distribution
Completed Book
Designed for Public-Facing Impact
Your city history or anniversary book should reflect the quality and professionalism of your local area. Our design and production team will work closely with you to create a visually compelling book that resonates with your audience.
Whether your vision is a coffee table-style book, a historical retrospective, or a commemorative publication tied to a specific initiative, we help you shape a finished product your city will be proud to share.
Built for Simplicity, Trust, and Results
We understand the realities of public-sector projects. Timelines, approvals, and stakeholder input can be complex. Our process is built to be collaborative, organized, and easy to manage.
What cities value most about working with Jenkins Group:
- A clear, guided process from start to finish
- A dedicated project team
- Reliable timelines and transparent communication
- High-quality design, printing, and production
- A finished book that strengthens community connection
- Retaining 100% rights
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a city history book?
A municipal history publication records a community’s growth and milestones. These books turn dry archives into stories that residents actually want to read. By documenting these events, local leaders keep their heritage alive for the next generation. A city history book serves as a permanent focal point for a town’s identity.
Many administrations commission Jenkins Group for a commemorative city book to turn a short anniversary into a lasting landmark.
When do municipalities create commemorative city books?
Local governments usually wait for a big milestone, like a centennial anniversary, to start a legacy project. However, we suggest starting a commemorative project 2-3 years before your anniversary to have enough time to properly tell a story.
What should be included in a municipal history book?
Good storytelling requires mixing official records with real voices from the neighborhood. You want high-quality scans of old documents paired with modern photos showing how street corners have changed. This keeps the content interesting for both established families and newcomers.
A professionally designed municipal history book can reflect your city’s infrastructure and its human spirit.
How can a community history book support civic engagement?
Sharing one story builds pride among a diverse group of neighbors. When people see their own names or families in a professional publication, their roles in public life feel more important.
A city history book project can spark new interest in local volunteering or generate more conversations about the direction the town is headed.
Can Jenkins Group help organize historical archives and interviews?
Are city anniversary books useful for tourism and public relations?
How do local governments use commemorative books during milestone celebrations?
From centennial anniversaries to smaller 10 or 25 year increments, you have a story worth sharing and people worth honoring.
Municipalities like to use their coffee table books at galas, funraisers, welcome centers, and more. They serve as a legacy that lasts long after the celebration ends.
By working with an independent book publishing agency, you can produce a town history book, a county commemorative book, or a city history publication that serves as a public sector commemorative book.