Watkins 3rd Floor Grand Opening!
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, […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
German genealogy research is so complicated, expert researcher Alisa Branham will cover this topic in multiple classes. This introductory class will cover basics and the particular challenges of German history […]
Looking for a fun event for your homeschool child? The Watkins Museum shares Lawrence history with homeschool students ages 5-12 every month throughout the school year. Each lesson studies a […]
Join us for a special event during this month's Final Friday. The museum will be open from 6:00-8:00 PM for visitors to explore the new exhibit From Then to Now: […]