Helping preserve the rich history of Douglas County, Kansas

Friday, May 31
Final Friday Exhibit Opening: “Occasional Mayhem.”
Crime doesn’t pay in Douglas County, as evidenced in this exhibit curated by students in the KU Museum Studies Program.
6-8 p.m. Free.

Wednesday, June 5, 12, 19 & 26; July 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31
Family Summer Games Series
Drop by the Watkins every Wednesday in June and July for a different historic game. We’ll have fun in and around the museum, playing something new and exciting every week. Pre-registration is welcome but not required!
11 a.m.- noon. Free, all ages.

Thursday, June 13
Kids’ Behind the Scenes at the Watkins Tour
Uncover the secrets behind the historic Watkins National Bank building, home to the Watkins Community Museum. Participants will be led beyond the red velvet rope to see the museum’s collection of artifacts documenting Douglas County’s history. Presented as part of the Lawrence Public Library’s summer reading program.
10:30 a.m.-noon. Free. Ages 8-12. Space for this tour is limited; sign up with the Lawrence Public Library or by calling the Watkins at 785-841-4109.

Sunday, June 16, Sunday, July 14 and Sunday, August 11
Summer Ragtime Party
An afternoon of classic ragtime with Ed Judd, Al Brune and friends! Sit back and listen or bring your own instrument to join in the fun.
2-4 p.m. Free. All ages.

Friday, June 28
Final Friday
6-8 p.m. Free.

Tuesday, July 2
Kids’ Behind The Scenes at the Watkins Tour
Uncover the secrets behind the historic Watkins National Bank building, home to the Watkins Community Museum. Participants will be led beyond the red velvet rope to see the museum’s collection of artifacts documenting Douglas County’s history. Presented as part of the Lawrence Public Library’s summer reading program.
2:00-3:30 p.m. Free. Ages 8-12. Space for this tour is limited; sign up with the Lawrence Public Library or by calling the Watkins at 785-841-4109.

Thursday, July 11
Who Lived in My House?
Live in an old house and want to learn about its history? This program will guide you through the Watkins Museum’s resources for researching historic or (just plain old) homes or other buildings in Douglas County. Stay after the program to kick-start your project. Presented as part of the Lawrence Public Library’s summer reading program.
10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Adults and teens ages 12 and up.  Limited space available; sign up with the Lawrence Public Library or by calling the Watkins at 785-841-4109.

Tuesday, July 23
Who Lived in My House?
Live in an old house and want to learn about its history? This program will guide you through the Watkins Museum’s resources for researching historic or (just plain old) homes or other buildings in Douglas County. Stay after the program to kick-start your project. Presented as part of the Lawrence Public Library’s summer reading program.
2:00-3:00 p.m. Free. Adults and teens ages 12 and up.  Limited space available; sign up with the Lawrence Public Library or by calling the Watkins at 785-841-4109.

Friday, July 26
Final Friday
6-8 p.m. Free.

August 12–17
Civil War on the Western Frontier
150th Anniversary of Quantrill’s raid on Lawrence
Click here for more information »

Friday, August 30
Final Friday Exhibit Opening: “Modern Views of Quantrill’s Raid”
Local artists share their thoughts about the raid that changed Lawrence forever, and its impact on the town’s character. Presented in collaboration with the Lawrence Percolator.
6-8 p.m. Free. Exhibits at the Watkins Museum at the Lawrence Percolator, located in the alley behind 913 Rhode Island.

New Permanent Exhibit at the Watkins Museum

Installation of the first phase of a new permanent exhibit is underway. Opening in August, the exhibit will occupy most of the second floor of the Watkins Museum and will explore Douglas County heritage and the events that made the County a focus of national attention. Incorporating a variety of interpretive techniques and interactive approaches, the exhibit will share stories of the people and issues that shaped the place we call home.

Exhibit Challenge

DCHS members and the public are invited to designate a special donation to help meet a $5,000 exhibit fundraising challenge. A one-time donation of any amount will support installation of exhibit components in the main staircase that will welcome visitors by introducing the Douglas County Historical Society and identifying historic sites across the county. Contributors to the challenge will be recognized on the exhibit donor board. Please indicate "members’ challenge" on your check and mail your donation to the Watkins Museum, 1047 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

A donor made a $500 gift to kick off the challenge—so we are on our way. Thanks for your support.

Watkins Museum Featured in NEH Magazine

The Watkins Museum is pleased to be featured in an article in the recent issue of Humanities magazine, the publication of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The article covers a Readers’ Theater program hosted by the Watkins to kick off last summer’s Civil War on the Western Frontier activities. Visit this link to read the article. »

2012 Membership Campaign

Since its kick-off in March, the 2012 membership campaign has brought in 42 new members and nearly $3,500 in new membership revenue. The campaign has a goal of increasing DCHS membership by at least 50 individuals and raising an additional $5,000. After three months, we are well on our way. Members receive an array of benefits and access to up-to-date information. Membership funds provide support for expanded programming and exhibitions at the Watkins Museum. Thank you to our new members and to those who have renewed their memberships this spring. You support is greatly appreciated. Now is a great time to join the DCHS.

Genealogical Society Partnership

The Watkins Museum and the Douglas County Genealogical Society are working together to help those researching family history. From 5:30–7 p.m. on the final Friday of the month, members of the Genealogical Society will be at the Museum to help researchers find ways to overcome roadblocks they have encountered when exploring their family history.

Watkins Museum "Opens" Online Exhibit

Massachusetts Street: Monuments and Milestones, draws on photographs primarily from the Watkins collection to trace the development of several businesses on Mass Street and to chronicle the street’s changing appearance through the years. The exhibit provides a history of several long-time Lawrence businesses; connects local history to events important state- and nationwide; and provides a brief history of the founding of Lawrence. Intern Cristina Chavez, a recent KU Museum Studies graduate, developed the exhibit. Her internship was funded by a 2011 grant from the Ethel and Raymond F. Rice Foundation.
View the exhibit here »

• Book explores lives of Quantrill Raid survivors
• Museum commemorates raid anniversary

Community Room is available for your receptions, birthday party or reunion. Call 1-785-841-4109 for more information.
Read more here.