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 and proved deadly for a number of unfortunate individuals. There was a concerted effort throughout the decade of the 1960s to get the City of Lawrence to build a pool where all its residents could swim in comfort and safety. These efforts were rewarded when the new Lawrence Aquatic Center opened to all in 1969.

In the intervening years, there was a lack of public recognition of the history of segregated swimming pools in Lawrence or the efforts made to get an integrated public pool. That deficiency was addressed when a marker detailing the history of getting that integrated pool in town was installed outside the entrance to the pool in 2021.

There will be an official public dedication ceremony for that marker beginning at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 11, 2022, at the Lawrence Aquatic Center, 727 Kentucky Street.

This event will also be livestreamed on the Watkins Museum Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.