Following a major renovation process, the Kramer Family Research Room at the Watkins Museum of History is open to the public by appointment.
The space opens the Watkin’s archive of thousands of photographs and documents about the history of Douglas County, and its residents, according to a news release from the museum Thursday. “These materials cover themes including businesses, schools, churches, personal correspondence, and changing Lawrence city governance.”
Appointments are available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, according to the release. Those interested in scheduling an appointment can send their research requests via email to research@watkinsmuseum.org.
“In the email, please summarize your research objective and share any background information relevant to the request, including time restrictions,” according to the release. “Staff will review each request and be in contact about scheduling an appointment. … Please, no walk-ins.”
The renovation is thanks to what began as a $75,000 donation and later grew to $100,000 from Carol J. Koenig in memory of her mother, Daisy Viola Kramer Koenig, who grew up in Douglas County.
“The project included restoration of the building’s original architectural details and a reconfiguration of the space to accommodate changing community needs and meet professional standards for archival management,” according to an older news release from the museum. ‘The finished space features a public research room, expanded storage, and updated equipment for digitizing and processing archival collections.”
Find more information at watkinsmuseum.org/research.
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