Life, liberty, and the struggle for America. Join us as we partner with director Bob Hurst on a free screening of his acclaimed documentary, Garden City, Kansas. The film is a gripping exploration of life in a majority-immigrant town, a domestic terrorist plot that threatened the community, and the nature of pluralism in America. Tickets […]
Margie Carr’s Kansas City’s Montgall Avenue: Black Leaders and the Street They Called Home is the extraordinary, century-old history of one city block whose residents shaped the changing status of Black people in Kansas City and built the social and economic institutions that supported the city’s Black community during the first half of the twentieth century. This single […]
Each month throughout the school year, the Watkins Museum’s education team offers interactive hands-on activities based on Lawrence history for children ages 3-5 who have not entered school. Tours include story time, videos, time in the galleries, handling artifacts, arts, crafts, and games depending on the month’s topic. Children must be accompanied by an adult […]
Update: This class is sold out. Thank you for your interest. The first class in our 2023-24 genealogy series. First offered in 2019, this topic is very popular! The presentation will include a large handout listing many online and video resources so you can continue learning after the class. Space is limited; please register in […]
Senator Preston B. Plumb is little known today, but in his lifetime he was a legend. Plumb smuggled guns for the Free State movement, pursued Quantrill's raiders, and served Kansas in the U.S. Congress. Join us for a talk with author Johanna D. Wickman about her new book, The Forgotten Senator: The Life and Character […]
Experience the Battle of Black Jack in a walking tour led by legendary 19th century abolitionist John Brown (AKA local historian Kerry Altenbernd). The tour will involve an explanation of the events leading up to the battle, a breakdown of the battle, and a walk through prairie grass paths, so please dress accordingly. Part of Civil […]
Haunting Humanities--the one-of-a-kind series of presentations, activities, games, and performances during the spooky season--returns to Abe & Jake's! For Haunting Humanities 2023, the Watkins will partner with Bleeding Kansas living historians. Step back in time to join the Fight for Freedom. In 1855, the Wakarusa War began the armed fights over whether to make Kansas […]
This walk through downtown Lawrence lets us learn about the early entrepreneurs, architects, social and business leaders who laid the foundation for our city. Just for good measure we'll add a dash of 1863 and 1970 history as well. Our guide is Dr. Bob Dinsdale, local Lawrence history aficionado and tour leader. This tour will […]
Enjoy a night of music, pizza, and history at Juniper Hill Farm. All proceeds will benefit the stained-glass window restoration project at the Watkins Museum of History. The project will focus on restoring the three stained-glass windows in the main stair hall, which are an impressive original feature of the Watkins Building and have never […]
Our biggest event of the year returns! Drop by the museum for trick-or-treating and a ghostly scavenger hunt with prizes.
A controversial character largely known (as depicted in the movie Glory) as a Union colonel who led Black soldiers in the Civil War, James Montgomery waged a far more personal and radical war against slavery than popular history suggests. It is the true story of this militant abolitionist that Todd Mildfelt and David D. Schafer tell […]
In this new class, we'll explore this powerful, free website. We'll discuss how to navigate the site to find additional family members and how to collaborate with others by adding new memorials and photos. Space is limited; please register in advance. Registration is $15 for Watkins members, $25 general admission. or by calling the Watkins […]
Help the Oak Hill Cemetery Committee cleanup historic Oak Hill cemetery by picking up sticks and trash, and raking leaves. Please bring your own rakes, gloves, and hand rakes. Bags will be provided. Dress accordingly and please bring water. About the Oak Hill Cemetery Committee: In 2022, the Douglas County Historical Society, which manages the […]
Don't miss your chance to meet bestselling author Tom Clavin as he discusses his latest book, The Last Outlaws: The Desperate Final Days of the Dalton Gang. Copies will be available for purchase and author signing courtesy of our partners at the Raven Bookstore! This event will be held in-person at the Watkins and also […]
Join us at the Watkins Museum for classes based on Lawrence and/or Douglas County History. Topics will be explored using hands-on activities, art projects, and will be multi-subject when appropriate. Parents may attend class, or this can be a drop-off program. Time: 10:30-11:30 AM Enrollment: Students may enroll for the entire school year, or they may enrollmonthly. You […]
