Raffle Contest: Historic Lawrence Print
Enter for a chance to win a piece of Lawrence history! This reproduction print of 1859 Lawrence has been custom matted and framed by Framewoods Gallery using antique wood from […]
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Postwar Journeys: Discussing the Vietnam War’s Effects
Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United StatesWe invite you to join us for a unique two-part program: We'll mark the opening of our exhibit about the postwar lives of Vietnam veterans with discussions involving Hang Le-Tormala, […]
Free
Watkins Museum Book Sale
Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United StatesJoin us in the Watkins Museum's Community Room for a book sale! After completing the archives and research room renovation in 2022, staff conducted an inventory into the materials stored […]
$1 – $15
Journal Release Celebration
Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United StatesHelp Anamcara Press celebrate the release of their first print journal The Write Bridge: Perilous and Playful, at the Watkins!In addition to celebrating contributing authors and artists, they will introduce you […]
Free
Tiny Tours: Butterflies! Maggie’s Garden to Migration to Mexico
Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United StatesEach 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 […]
Film Screening: Garden City, Kansas
Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United StatesLife, 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 […]
Free
Author Talk with Margie Carr: “Kansas City’s Montgall Avenue”
Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United StatesMargie 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 […]
Tiny Tours: Ways to Have Fun! Amusements in Lawrence
Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United StatesEach 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 […]
Researching Your Ancestors from Scotland and Ireland
Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United StatesUpdate: 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 […]
$15 – $25
Book Talk: Forgotten Senator Preston B. Plumb
Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United StatesSenator 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 […]
Free
Walking Tour of Black Jack Battlefield
Black Jack Battlefield 163 E. 2000 Road, Wellsville, KansasExperience 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 […]
Free
Haunting Humanities
Abe & Jake's Landing 8 E 6th St., Lawrence, KansasHaunting 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 […]
Free
Walking Tour: Growing Downtown Lawrence 1850-1910
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 […]
History in a New Light: DCHS 90th Anniversary Fundraiser
Juniper Hill Farm 1547 N 2000 Rd, Lawrence, Kansas, United StatesEnjoy 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 […]
$75
Halloween at the Watkins
Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United StatesOur biggest event of the year returns! Drop by the museum for trick-or-treating and a ghostly scavenger hunt with prizes.
Free
Book Talk: Abolitionist of the Most Dangerous Kind
Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United StatesA 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 […]
Free
Using Find-A-Grave for Genealogy Research
Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United StatesIn 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 […]
$15 – $25
Oak Hill Cemetery Fall Clean Up
Oak Hill Cemetery 1605 Oak Hill Ave, Lawrence, KansasHelp 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 […]
Free
Author Talk with Tom Clavin: “The Last Outlaws”
Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United StatesDon'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 […]
Free
Homeschool History II (Ages 11-16)
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 […]
Television Event: Screening & Discussion
Liberty Hall 644 Massachusetts S, Lawrence, KansasJoin us at Liberty Hall on December 4, 2024, for a special screening of Television Event followed by a 40th anniversary reunion Q&A featuring The Day After’s cast and crew […]
$12
War on the Wakarusa: A Living History Event
South Park 1141 Massachusetts St., Lawrence, KansasJoin us in South Park for a time traveling adventure! In December 1855, the Wakarusa War began the violent struggle over whether Kansas would become a free or a slave […]
Free
Researching Your Ancestors from Scotland and Ireland
Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United StatesOur October 14 class has sold out, so we're offering it again! First offered in 2019, this topic is very popular. The presentation will include a large handout listing many […]
$15 – $25
Tiny Tours: Snow Days: Frightful or Fun?
Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United StatesEach 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 […]
Homeschool History II (Ages 11-16)
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 […]
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Lawrence 1970s Project
Since 2020, the Watkins Museum has hosted a series of events to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1970s. Events related to the 1970s will be hosted throughout the city until […]
Free
Winter Clothing Drive
Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United StatesIn connection with our exhibit Bundle Up: Battling the Cold in 1850s Kansas, the Watkins is partnering with the Ballard Center on a winter clothing drive. During our open hours, […]
Homeschool History II (Ages 11-16)
Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United StatesJoin 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 […]
Bundle Up! Dressing for Winter in Territorial Kansas
Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United StatesWhat did settlers wear to survive the harsh winters of 1850s Kansas? In this public talk, Eric Smallwood, 19th-century men's fashion historian and tailor, will use images, historical accounts, and […]
Free
Celebration of William Stafford: Living a Poetic Life
Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United StatesWe invite you to the Watkins for the annual celebration of famed Kansas poet William Stafford. This drop-in event features readings by area Kansas and Missouri poets.
Free
Homeschool History I (Ages 5-10)
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 […]
Tiny Tours: Friendship for All: Being Inclusive
Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United StatesEach 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 […]
Scavenger Hunt Saturdays!
A great activity for kids up to age 10. Every Saturday at the Watkins is Scavenger Hunt Saturday: Drop by the museum to search for objects around the building and […]
Free
Homeschool History II (Ages 11-16)
Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United StatesJoin 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 […]
Homeschool History I (Ages 5-10)
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 […]