Journal Release Celebration

Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United States

Help 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 States

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 […]

Film Screening: Garden City, Kansas

Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United States

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 […]

Free

Author Talk with Margie Carr: “Kansas City’s Montgall Avenue”

Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United States

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 […]

Tiny Tours: Ways to Have Fun! Amusements in Lawrence

Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United States

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 […]

Researching Your Ancestors from Scotland and Ireland

Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United States

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 […]

$15 – $25

Book Talk: Forgotten Senator Preston B. Plumb

Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United States

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 […]

Free

Walking Tour of Black Jack Battlefield

Black Jack Battlefield 163 E. 2000 Road, Wellsville, Kansas

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 […]

Free

Haunting Humanities

Abe & Jake's Landing 8 E 6th St., Lawrence, Kansas

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 […]

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 States

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 […]

$75

Halloween at the Watkins

Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United States

Our 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 States

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 […]

Free

Using Find-A-Grave for Genealogy Research

Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United States

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 […]

$15 – $25

Oak Hill Cemetery Fall Clean Up

Oak Hill Cemetery 1605 Oak Hill Ave, Lawrence, Kansas

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 […]

Free

Author Talk with Tom Clavin: “The Last Outlaws”

Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United States

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 […]

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, Kansas

Join 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, Kansas

Join 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 States

Our 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 States

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 […]

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 […]

Winter Clothing Drive

Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United States

In 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 States

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 […]

Bundle Up! Dressing for Winter in Territorial Kansas

Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United States

What 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 States

We 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 States

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 […]

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 States

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 […]

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 […]

Introduction to Genealogy

Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United States

Genealogy is one of the most popular hobbies in the US. We want to help you get started! Our resident genealogist, Alisa Branham, has been teaching classes at the Watkins […]

$15 – $25

Vietnam Veterans Exhibit Talk with Pat Donahue

Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United States

In connection with our exhibit Soldiers Return: Coming Home from Vietnam, former US Marine Pat Donahue has generously agreed to give a short gallery talk discussing his life during and after […]

Free

Tiny Tours: Magical Music: Hands-On Instruments

Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United States

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 […]

Homeschool History II (Ages 11-16)

Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United States

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 […]

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 […]

Oak Hill Cemetery Cleanup Day

Oak Hill Cemetery 1605 Oak Hill Ave, Lawrence, Kansas

The Oak Hill Cemetery Committee invites you to help with spring cleanup! Volunteers will assist with raking leaves and picking up branches and trash. The committee will provide leaf bags. […]

Tiny Tours: Critters of Kansas: Animals of All Kinds

Watkins Museum of History 1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, United States

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 […]