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, […]
Free
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Swimming Pool Historical Marker Dedication
Lawrence Aquatic Center 727 Kentucky St., Lawrence, KansasPrior 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 […]
Free
The February Sisters: Remembering & Moving Forward
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 […]
Free
Lawrence Oktoberfest
Abe & Jake's Landing 8 E 6th St., Lawrence, KansasWunderbar! 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 […]
$10 – $20
Oak Hill Cemetery Annual Fall Clean-Up
Oak Hill Cemetery 1605 Oak Hill Ave, Lawrence, KansasOn 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 […]
Class: Introduction to Genealogy
Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United StatesOur 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 […]
$15 – $25
Eerie Evening: Team Trivia Event
VIBE Lawrence 1014 Massachusetts St., Lawrence, KansasSpend 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 […]
$25
The Dracula Daily
Lawrence Public Library 707 Vermont St.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 […]
Free
Grand Opening of the KRAMER Family Research Room
Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United StatesAfter 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 […]
Halloween at the Watkins!
Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United StatesBring the kids to the Watkins Museum during downtown trick-or-treating for candy and a ghostly scavenger hunt for prizes!
Class: Census Research for Genealogists
Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United StatesFederal 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 […]
$15 – $25
Showcasing a Collection: How to Effectively Display an Artifact
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 […]
Horsing Around Downtown: Holiday Scavenger Hunt
Downtown LawrenceAnnouncing 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 […]
Free
Ellie on the Shelf: A Kids’ Scavenger Hunt!
Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United StatesAnnouncing 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 […]
Free
Genealogy + Local History Spotlight
Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United StatesDue 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 […]
Free
Class: Researching Your German Ancestors – Part 1
Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United StatesGerman 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 […]
$15 – $25
Homeschool History: A Soldier’s Life in Pictures
Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United StatesLooking 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 […]
Free
Haskell Exhibit Public Presentation
Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United StatesJoin 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: […]
Free
Researching Your German Ancestors: Part 1
Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United StatesGerman 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 […]
Homeschool History: A Soldier’s Life in Pictures
Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United StatesLooking 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 […]
Free
DNA for Genealogy Research
Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United StatesDNA is a powerful tool for genealogy research, helpful for confirming your ancestry or identifying family members in situations like adoption. In this class, genealogy expert Alisa Branham will cover […]
$15 – $25
Online Book Talk: Varmints and Victims: Predator Control in the American West
Join us on the Watkins Museum YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter as we chat with historian Frank Van Nuys about his fascinating book, Varmints and Victims: Predator Control in the American […]
Final Friday: Amazing History at the Watkins
Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United StatesDrop by the museum to view exciting local history exhibits, including From Then to Now: A Student History of Haskell Indian Nations University and Creatures From the Vault: Animal-Themed Artifacts […]
Free