A new exhibit at the Watkins Museum of History will celebrate the life of a Lawrence-born actor, writer and producer whose story is explored in a recently published biography.
Daniel Atkinson, author of “The Rediscovery of George ‘Nash’ Walker,” co-curated the exhibit and will be present for its opening day, according to a Watkins Museum news release.
Atkinson’s book is the first published biography of Walker, who is credited for his role in revolutionizing Black American theatre in the early 20th century, when white people would caricaturize Black people in minstrel shows.
“Beyond the elation of completing the ten-year process of publishing the biography of George ‘Nash’ Walker, the opportunity to share my research materials at Watkins Museum of History brings it full circle,” Atkinson said in the release.
Don’t miss a beat … Click here to sign up for our email newsletters
Click here to learn more about our newsletters first
Photographs, ephemera of Walker’s performances and business ventures, and recordings of Walker’s performances will be featured in the exhibit.
Documents and direct quotations are presented in their original context, according to the release. Some include offensive language and images, so content warning signs will be posted for viewer discretion.
“I want to thank Daniel Atkinson for his careful research and contributions to this exhibition,” said Andrew Stockmann, curator of exhibits at the Watkins Museum. “Walker’s life has long been underappreciated. Atkinson’s work and this exhibition shine a light on this deeply impactful figure who got his start just a few blocks from the museum.”
“In the Spotlight: Lawrence’s George ‘Nash’ Walker” will be on display Thursday, Oct. 23 through April 4, 2026 in the second floor changing exhibit gallery at Watkins Museum, 1047 Massachusetts St. in downtown Lawrence.
An event to celebrate the opening and hear from Atkinson is set for 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday. It’s free to attend.
The Watkins Museum’s hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, and admission is free.
Black history guided tour
A 10-block guided tour through the Pinkney neighborhood will cover local Black history.
Although unrelated to the Watkins exhibit, the tour makes a stop at the Lawrence home George “Nash” Walker had built for his mother, according to Dennis Brown, Lawrence Preservation Alliance tour producer.
It’s the second Black History Walking Tour hosted by LPA and the Lawrence Branch NAACP, set for 1:30 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2. Participants will meet in front of Community Connections at Pinckney, 810 W. Sixth St.
NAACP Branch President Ursula Minor, Secretary Sara Minor, and Vice President Doris Ricks will give speeches in front of three sites: Pinckney; the Dillard House at 520 Louisiana St.; and 401 Indiana St., the house Walker had built for his mother. Portable seating will be provided at each.
Tickets cost $10, and the capacity is 25 people. As of Tuesday afternoon, there were 11 tickets left.
Find more information and secure tickets on LPA’s website, lawrencepreservation.org.
If local news matters to you, please help us keep doing this work.
Don’t miss a beat — get the latest news from the Times delivered to your inbox:
Click here to learn more about our newsletters first
Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
Latest Lawrence news:
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
