Civil War on the Border

August 22-25, Watkins Museum of History

Douglas County's largest annual commemoration of its heritage

Now in its 29th year, Civil War on the Border is Lawrence’s largest annual history event. This year’s theme is the Civil War in art. We’ll have special exhibits, talks with distinguished historians, bus and walking tours, and a display of the “Watkins Mystery Flag.”

Civil War on the Border 2024 is sponsored in part by Explore Lawrence and the Lawrence Department of Parks, Recreation, Arts and Culture.

August 1-31  

Lawrence Print Contest, tickets $10 or three for $20

Thursday, August 22          

Quantrill’s Raid Walking Tour, 8-9:30 AM, starts at Watkins Museum

Special event: Curator’s Challenge: Quantrill’s Raid & the Watkins Mystery Flag, 6-8 PM, in-person at the Watkins Museum

Friday, August 23          

Quantrill’s Raid Walking Tour, 8-9:30 AM, starts at Watkins Museum

The Kansas Save the Flags Project, 5-6 PM, presentation by Boone Dodson at Watkins Museum

Online talk with Thomas Brown: Zouaves, the Civil War’s Most Colorful Soldiers, 7-8 PM

Saturday, August 24           

Quantrill’s Raid Walking Tour, 8-9:30 AM, starts at Watkins Museum

Quantrill’s Approach and Departure Bus Tour, 9 AM-12 PM, leaves from Watkins Museum

Memorial Service for Victims of Quantrill’s Raid followed by Presentation by Eric Smallwood: Men’s Summer Clothing in the 1860s, 10 AM-12 PM, in-person at Watkins Museum and online

Quantrill’s Raid Bus Tour, 1-3 PM, leaves from Watkins Museum

Online Talk with Shae Smith Cox: The Fabric of Civil War Society, 7-8 PM

Sunday, August 25          

Quantrill’s Raid Walking Tour, 8-9:30 AM, starts at Watkins Museum

Bleeding Kansas Bus Tour, 10 AM-12 PM, leaves from Watkins Museum

Bleeding Kansas Bus Tour, 1-3 PM, leaves from Watkins Museum

Black Jack Battlefield Walking Tour, 2 PM, 163 E 2000 Rd, Wellsville, KS 66092

The Life of a Civil War Soldier, 5-6 PM, in-person at Watkins Museum and online