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Civil War on the Western Frontier

CIVIL WAR ON THE WESTERN FRONTIER LOGO

Explore our Fiery History

August 15-19, 2019

Lawrence was founded in the 1850’s as the state’s center of resistance to the expansion of slavery. And it paid the price. Targeted, pillaged and burned to the ground during the Civil War, the community rebuilt with a commitment to education, civility, and the future. It’s quite a legacy to live up to… but we try. Add some fiery history to your visit by sampling our past.

Historical agencies throughout Douglas County will present programs that explore Quantrill’s Raid and highlight our area’s territorial and Civil War history for Civil War on the Western Frontier.

From the blog: It wasn’t called Bleeding Kansas for nothing>

2019 Schedule

THURSDAY, AUGUST 15

Talk by Dawson Ballard 
Mary Surrat and Her Role in Lincoln’s Assassination

6:30 – 8:00 PM
Watkins Museum of History
FREE

FRIDAY, AUGUST 16

8th Kansas Living History Encampment

6:00 – 8:00 PM
South Park
FREE

Oak Hill Cemetery

Oak Hill Cemetery Tour
Guided by Watkins Museum Curator, Brittany Keegan
Register: Lawrence Parks & Recreation: (785) 832-7920

8:00 – 9:30 PM
Oak Hill Cemetery
$18

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17

Quantrill’s Raid Bus Tour
Guided by Michelle Montour
Register Here

8:00 – 9:30 AM
Begins at Watkins Museum
$30/$15 members

Quantrill’s Raid Walking Tour
Guided by John Jewell
Register Here

8:30 – 10:00 AM
Begins at Watkins Museum
$30/$15 members

Quantrill’s Raid Victims Memorial Service and Living History
Presentation by 8th Kansas Reenactors

10:00 – 11:30 AM
Watkins Museum
FREE

Quantrill’s Raid Bus Tour
Guided by Michelle Montour
Register Here

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Begins at Watkins Museum
$30/$15 members

Interactive History Walking Tour
Guided by Cole Finley and Amanda Burkhart
Register Here

12:00 – 2:00 PM
Begins at Watkins Museum
$30/$15 members

Watkins Museum

National History day award-winning website about Quantrill’s Raid
Student Presentation

2:30 – 3:00 PM
Watkins Museum
FREE

Underground Railroad Bus Tour
Guided by Judy Sweets & Kerry Altenbernd
Register Here

3:00 – 4:30 PM
Begins at Watkins Museum
$30/$15 members

Women of Early Lawrence Bus Tour
Guided by Sarah Bell
Register Here

6:00 – 7:30 PM
Begins at Watkins Museum
$30/$15 members

Burroughs Creek Trail & Free State Brewing Co Bicycle Tour
Register Here

6:00 – 7:30 PM
$30/$15 members

Rebuilding of Lawrence Walking Tour
Guided by John Jewell
Register Here

6:00 – 7:30 PM
Begins at Watkins Museum
$30/$15 members

Keynote address: Order Number 11
Tom Rafiner, Historian, Author

7:00 – 7:45 PM
Lawrence Arts Center

For Union & Freedom: Songs of the Civil War
Performed by Lawrence Opera Theatre

8:00 – 9:00 PM
Lawrence Arts Center

SUNDAY, AUGUST 18

Kids Camp: Step Back Into History at Clinton Lake

1:00 – 4:00 PM
Wakarusa River Valley Heritage Museum
FREE

Black Jack Battlefield Guided Tour

4:00 – 5:00 PM
Black Jack Battlefield and Nature Park
FREE

ONGOING PROGRAMS

Eudora and the Civil War
This exhibit explores Eudora and the Civil War. To schedule a tour, call 785-690-7900 or email EudoraHistory@gmail.com. 

Tuesday – Saturday; 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Eudora Community Museum
FREE

Underground Railroad & Freedom Rings
The area was a key region for the Underground Railroad and a hotbed of abolitionism and had strong community and family histories for Free State Kansas. Many slaves were safely led through the Wakarusa Valley and on their way to freedom by these noble men. Besides an exhibit about the Underground Railroad, you can also visit the “Freedom Rings”, a large-scale outdoor sculpture which serves as a beacon of light and symbol of freedom to represent the history of the region and the Underground Railroad.

Saturday & Sunday; 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Wakarusa River Valley Heritage Museum
FREE

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  • Unmistakably Lawrence
  • Explore
    • Stay
    • Experiences
      • Agri-Tourism
      • Arts & Culture
      • Basketball
        • Famous Basketball Sites
      • Foodies
        • No Free Lunches
      • Supernatural Lawrence
        • Historic Cemeteries
      • History & Heritage
        • Basketball
        • Block-by-Block
        • Historic Sites of Douglas County
        • Historic Trails
        • Lawrence Pioneers
        • Native American Heritage
        • Self-Guided Tours
        • The Struggle for Freedom
      • Kiddos
      • Live Music
      • Sports/Recreation
      • Wellness
    • Eat
      • Daily Deals
    • Shop
    • See
    • Play
      • Unmistakable Events
      • Local Fav’s
      • Visitor Fav’s
      • Day Trips
      • Social Lounge
    • Visit
      • Getting Here & Around
      • Neighborhoods
        • Downtown
        • KU Campus
        • West Lawrence
        • East Lawrence
        • North Lawrence
        • South Lawrence
      • Parking
      • Self-Guided Tours
        • Famous Basketball Sites
        • Historic Cemeteries
        • Historic Sites of Quantrill’s Raid
        • Explore Mass Street
      • Weather
      • Visitors Center
      • Visitors Guide
      • E-Newsletter
    • Blog
  • Meet
    • Meetings & Events
      • Why Lawrence?
      • University Events
      • Toolkit
        • Plan a safe event in Lawrence
        • Meeting Facilities
        • Special Events & Banquet Facilities
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        • Conference Services
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        • Getting Here & Around
      • Submit RFP
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      • Submit RFP
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