After a year of traveling and visiting every brewery in Kansas, Michael Travis has written a book that captures the heartbeat and story behind the owners and head brewers who make the magic happen. Join us in-person at the Watkins Museum on Thursday, September 8, as Michael introduces his new book, Celebrating Kansas Breweries: People, […]
After eight years of planning and installation, our third floor permanent exhibit will finally be unveiled! Drop by between 10 AM-4 PM Saturday and 1-4 PM Sunday to experience artifacts, images, and videos telling amazing stories from Lawrence history. Check out new areas on the third floor including: Molding Minds, Making Memories: The Universities of […]
Prior to 1969, Lawrence, Kansas, did not have an integrated public swimming pool. The only option that non-white residents had was to swim in the Kansas River, which was dangerous and proved deadly for a number of unfortunate individuals. There was a concerted effort throughout the decade of the 1960s to get the City of […]
In February 1972, they took a stand. By occupying a KU building and demanding gender equity in policies that affected women students, faculty, and staff on campus, the courageous February Sisters spurred change locally and nationally. Join us 50 years later as Christine Smith and Kathryn Tuttle recreate these events with special readings, discuss the February […]
Wunderbar! Lawrence Oktoberfest is finally back, and Watkins staff will be on hand with family activities. We'll have coloring, Turner exercises, a sheet of German phrases, a guide to researching German ancestry, exhibit panels about the Lawrence Turnverein, and a root beet stein hoist for kids! Get your tickets at this link.
On Sunday, October 9 from 2:00 - 4:00 PM you can volunteer to clean up historic Oak Hill Cemetery! Clean-up will focus on removing dead branches, fallen leaves, and other natural debris. Bring gloves and any tools that would be helpful to use. We will provide lawn bags. For more information or to sign up, […]
Our popular genealogy classes are back! Genealogy expert Alisa Branham will provide clear guidance on how to start and organize your family history research, along with advice on which DNA tests are best for beginners. A handout will be provided, including a list of great how-to books, helpful videos and links to various online resources. […]
Spend an eerie evening at VIBE in Downtown Lawrence playing trivia amongst friends! The trivia game will include six rounds of questions ranging from local folklore to general Halloween and Fall knowledge. It will be a fun and frightening time! Teams must be 3-5 people. A cash bar will be available. The $25.00 fee covers […]
The Watkins is partnering with the Lawrence Public Library on a frightfully fascinating event! In 2020, Matt Kirkland of Lawrence started a blog called The Dracula Daily, in which bite-sized (get it?) chunks of Bram Stoker's Dracula were delivered to your inbox to digest over the course of six months. Today it's an internet sensation, […]
After 7 months of renovation, the Watkins Museum will officially debut the newly completed KRAMER Family Research Room with a public opening on October 29 at 2:30 PM. After a short presentation in the Community Room, the public will be invited to tour the newly finished space on the museum’s second floor. As always, admission […]
Bring the kids to the Watkins Museum during downtown trick-or-treating for candy and a ghostly scavenger hunt for prizes!
Federal and state census records are filled with useful information for genealogists. Understanding how to interpret and analyze these records is a key skill for building your family tree and learning more about the context of your ancestors’ lives. Alisa Branham's class presentation will show various census examples, including the recently released 1950 US Census; […]
The Watkins Museum is partnering with the Douglas County Community Foundation on their year-end Giving for Good campaign to raise money to help us purchase display cases and custom mounts for artifacts. To donate online, click the donate button below. To donate via check, send and make checks payable to the Douglas County Community Foundation […]
Announcing the return of this popular holiday event! From December 2-9, look for the famous Watkins Hobby Horses in the windows of businesses in the 700 and 800 blocks of Massachusetts Street. Bring your checklist downtown, write down locations for at least six out of the eight horses, then drop it off at the Watkins […]
Announcing an electrifying holiday game: Bring the kids into the Watkins on December 3, locate the miniature versions of our mascot Ellie the Electric Car on all three floors, and receive a Watkins Museum coloring book. Plus, you'll be entered in a drawing for a $50 gift card to The Toy Store! The drawing winner […]
Due to the success of our January 10 Genealogy + Local History Spotlight, we're hosting another one! Researching your house’s history, delving into genealogy, or exploring Kansas’s storied past? Join us to get acquainted with resources for digging into local and family history. Meet Lawrence Public Library staff at the Watkins Museum for an introduction […]
