Watkins Museum of History
E on the Farm Tour Map
1047 Massachusetts St., Lawrence
Managed by: Will Haynes, Douglas County Historical Society
Facebook: @WatkinsMuseum
Instagram: @WatkinsMuseum
The Watkins Museum of History, headquarters of the Douglas County Historical Society, is housed in the beautiful 1888 Watkins National Bank Building. The museum offers three floors of changing exhibits and permanent galleries telling stories of local history, including people of diverse backgrounds who worked for change in our community. The history we showcase ranges from the area's Native American roots, through the founding of Lawrence in the Bleeding Kansas era, to the tumultuous 1960s and '?Os. The museum welcomes visitors on Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 AM-4 PM. Admission is free.
October 4 and 5 will be our last days hosting Americans, a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition. Americans is based on the exhibition of the same name currently on display at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI). Curated by Paul Chaat Smith (Comanche) and Cecile R. Ganteaume, the exhibit uncovers the many ways American Indian images, names, and stories have been part of the nation's identity since before the country began. Americans uses historical photographs and objects representative of those in the Smithsonian's collection to tell their stories.The Watkins Museum will partner with the Haskell Cultural Center to include materials on local American Indian history and cultures as part of the exhibition during its run at the Watkins.
Kid-Friendly Activities:
In addition to the Americans exhibition, the museum will have several features friendly to families, including the popular Victorian Playhouse, Hunting History Cards, and several computer interactives exploring local history in fun ways.
Special Events:
Free guided tours of the exhibition at 1 PM on both days.