Disorder on the Border

This August, a broad-based group of historians will again gather to discuss the conflict and casualties of one of the most divisive periods of American history at the Harrisonville Community Center in Harrisonville, Missouri. There, sessions will examine topics such as women on the border, slavery in Missouri, Bleeding Kansas, the occupation in Civil War […]

$35

Book Release Celebration

Merchants Pub & Plate 746 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, Kansas, United States

Join us in celebrating the highly-anticipated book Embattled Lawrence Vol. 2 at Merchants Pub & Plate on Tuesday, August 15. The Raven Book Store will be selling copies of the limited printed edition for $40 during the event. All book proceeds will go to the Watkins Museum.

Food & Agriculture during the Civil War

How did food production and scarcities change the course of history during the American Civil War? Join us for a live online discussion with renowned historian R. Douglas Hurt, author of numerous books, who will address these topics and answer your questions. Part of Civil War on the Border, Douglas County’s largest annual heritage festival for […]

Cemetery Tours

In these two unique and separate walking tours, participants will learn about the cemetery's connection to the Civil War era and the people buried there. Hosted by Lawrence Parks and Recreation. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Part of Civil War on the Border, Douglas County's largest annual heritage festival for 28 years. Black Civic Leaders […]

$25

Quantrill’s Raid Victims Memorial and Historical Talk

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

Join us at the Watkins for the most moving, important event of Civil War on the Border. After a reading by Anthony Boynton, writer and member of B.L.A.C.K. Lawrence, community leaders will read the names of known raid victims. This will be followed with a talk by historian Fred Whitehead on "The Union Cause in […]

Free

Bus Tour: Women of Early Lawrence

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

Women played crucial roles leading up to, during, and after the destruction of Quantrill's Raid on Lawrence. Learn the heroic, fascinating stories of Sara Robinson, Jetta Dix, and several other important local women in this unique bus tour led by the Watkins Museum's Natalie Vondrak. The bus loads at the 11th Street entrance of the […]

$25 – $35

Film Screening: “I’m So Glad: Kansas City and the Roots of Black Gospel Music”

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

Join us at the Watkins for this free screening, a partnership with the I'm So Glad Project and the Lawrence Branch NAACP. From its pre-Civil War roots to today, Kansas City's unique style of gospel music has influenced every other genre of American music. And it has sustained the people with its positive message: "I'm […]

Free

Postwar Journeys: Discussing the Vietnam War’s Effects

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

We 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, author of Postwar Journeys: American and Vietnamese Transnational Peace Efforts since 1975, and veterans John Musgrave, David Hann, and John Solbach about their postwar experiences. […]

Free

Watkins Museum Book Sale

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

Join 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 in those spaces. In that inventory we found duplicate copies of books already in the museum’s collections, and several books unrelated to Douglas County history. […]

$1 – $15

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 to featured author David Hann and his new book, Bluebirds to Tikal, Stories of Fun, Fear, and Folly.The Summer 2023 edition of The Write Bridge […]

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 story time, videos, time in the galleries, handling artifacts, arts, crafts, and games depending on the month’s topic. Children must be accompanied by an adult […]

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 a gripping exploration of life in a majority-immigrant town, a domestic terrorist plot that threatened the community, and the nature of pluralism in America. Tickets […]

Free