Looking to dig a little deeper into the history and heritage of Lawrence and the surrounding region? There is a wealth of historical and cultural resources available in Lawrence, Douglas County, KS including online resources, historic sites, archive material and visitor information. Here are just a few:
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Echoes Partners
The Watkins Museum of History
Since 1975, the Watkins Museum of History, housed in the 1888 Watkins Land Mortgage and National
Bank Building, has provided educational resources and activities, programs and public events, and changing exhibits that explore the heritage of Douglas County and connect the past with issues that affect our communities today. The Watkins Museum is operated by the Douglas County Historical Society.
Lawrence Public Library
Local history collection, geneaology, online resources, and much more.
Digital Douglas County History
The local history portal for Douglas County history, featuring a growing collection of photographs, genealogy resources, and oral history projects. A partnership of the Lawrence Public Library, Watkins Community Museum, and the Douglas County Genealogical Society.
http://digdgcohistory.omeka.net/
About South Park
South Park webpage (City of Lawrence, KS)
Lawrence’s first oldest park, South Park was part of the original 1854 town site. In the original town plan, South Park, located on Massachusetts Street, covered eight city blocks and was divided evenly into four separate parks – Lafayette Park, Hamilton Park, Washington Park and Franklin Park. The bandstand, or the South Park gazebo, was erected in May 1906.
https://lawrenceks.org/lprd/parks/southpark/
South Park Arboretum
South Park is also known for a variety of different trees. An inventory of the trees was developed through the department’s use of Treeworks mapping and ESRI story board was developed. To view the information and take the self-guided tour, please visit:http://arcg.is/1fXeq8.
South Park Wading Pool
South Park Wading Pool is an ideal place for parents to bring children 6 and under for an afternoon outing. The Parks and Recreation Department provides qualified staff to supervise the zero-depth entry pool, water sprays, fountains and our favorite seal, Skippy.
https://lawrenceks.org/lprd/aquatics/spwp/
Monarch Watch
South Park features an area designated for butterfly habitat in conjunction with Monarch Watch.
County & State
Douglas County Kansas Historical Sites
List of historical sites in Douglas County, KS.
www.douglascountyks.org/services/external-agencies/209
Kansas Historical Society
The Kansas Historical Society is the state agency charged with actively safeguarding and sharing the state’s history to facilitate government accountability, economic development, and the education of Kansans. This is accomplished by collecting, preserving, and interpreting materials and information pertaining to state government and Kansas history.
Kansas Digital Newspapers Program
The Kansas Digital Newspapers (KDN) program seeks to digitize and make available on the Internet digital editions of historic Kansas newspapers. The Kansas Historical Society (KSHS) manages KDN with support from both public and private partners, and draws on its comprehensive state newspaper collection, including more than 50,000 rolls of newspaper microfilm created by KSHS.
www.kshs.org/index.php?url=p/kansas-digital-newspaper-program/16126
Kansas Memory
Kansas Memory has been created by the Kansas State Historical Society to share its historical collections via the Internet.
Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area
Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area preserves, interprets and promotes stories of the Missouri Kansas Border War and enduring struggles for freedom.
www.freedomsfrontier.org
Educational
Haskell Indian Nations University
Haskell Indian Nations University (HINU)is the premiere tribal university in the United States, offering quality education to Native American students.
www.haskell.edu/about/history/
KU Natural History Museum
The KU Biodiversity Institute studies the life of the planet for the benefit of the Earth and its inhabitants. The institute, including the KU Natural History Museum, accomplishes this mission through the acquisition, curation and study of collections of plants, animals, fossil material and cultural artifacts for undergraduate, graduate and public education, as well as research and public and professional service.
The Kenneth Spencer Research Library
The Kenneth Spencer Research Library is home to books, manuscripts, photographs and materials in many subject areas, including the Kansas Collection, Special Collections and the University Archives.
https://spencer.lib.ku.edu/collections/
More Resources
Lawrence Preservation Alliance
The mission of the Lawrence Preservation Alliance is to preserve historically significant buildings and natural environments, and to educate the community about the benefits of historic preservation.
http://lawrencepreservation.org/
Explore Lawrence
Explore Lawrence, the convention and visitors bureau of Lawrence, Kansas, is here to share the experience of this unmistakable town and to invite visitors to come see for themselves. We assist leisure travelers, meetings and events planners, sports events planners, groups, the media and Lawrencians, too.
City of Lawrence, KS
Lawrence is a diverse and multifaceted city that provides many of the amenities of a large metropolitan area, while still maintaining a strong sense of community. Located in Northeast Kansas, Lawrence is just 45 minutes west of Kansas City, and 30 minutes east of Topeka, the state capital. Lawrence offers a rich and fascinating history, a wide range of exciting cultural experiences, nationally recognized educational institutions, and some of the most unique and enjoyable shopping opportunities in the Midwest.