Visitors experience Lawrence's turbulent past through sites of today

September 17, 2001 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Although Lawrence has changed dramatically since its days as an abolitionist-dominated frontier town, visitors today can experience and learn about Lawrence's fiery past through a variety of visitor resources.

The resources available today for visitors include self-guided walking and driving tours, a docu-drama showing at the Lawrence Visitor Information Center; interactive displays at the Watkins Community Museum of History and Civil War on the Western Frontier, a two-week commemorative series of events held each August.

Self-guided tours enable visitors to retrace history.
Several self-guided tours are available to help visitors experience segments of Lawrence's history. Quantrill's Raid: The Lawrence Massacre retraces Quantrill's route as he destroyed most of Lawrence and murdered more than 180 unarmed men and boys. Historic Cemeteries of Lawrence reveals details about Lawrence's social, political, ethnic and religious past by exploring the landscapes of its historic cemeteries. Historic Trails of Douglas County leads visitors on a driving tour of the Oregon and Santa Fe Trails that run through parts of Lawrence and Douglas County. House Styles of Old West Lawrence describes the 17 different architectural styles found in this three-block historic neighborhood that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Film brings the history to life.
"Lawrence: Free State Fortress" is a 27-minute docu-drama now showing at the Lawrence Visitor Information Center. The drama chronicles the first 10 years of Lawrence's history and culminates with Quantrill's Raid of the city. The film may be viewed during the center's regular business hours: Mon.-Sat., 8:30am-5: 30 pm and Sun. 1-5 pm.

Lawrence commemorates its border war history each August with Civil War on the Western Frontier, which takes place in the weeks surrounding the anniversary of Quantrill's Raid on Lawrence (August 21, 1863). The series of events includes dramatic performances, scholarly lectures, hands-on workshops for kids and adults, and living history re-enactments. All of which are designed to impart a segment of Lawrence's fiery history.

First-hand accounts of Quantrill's Raid.
Visitors can read first-hand accounts of Quantrill's Raid on Lawrence, diary accounts of early Lawrence settlers and information on the underground railroad stops in Lawrence at the Watkins Community Museum of History, 1047 Massachusetts Street. In addition, the museum's ongoing exhibits include a historic playroom where children can don period attire and learn games children in the 1800s played.