Watkins Museum’s renovation getting even bigger with new grant

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The Watkins Museum of History’s public research room is currently under renovation, but the plans are expanding even more with an additional $100,000 grant.

The renovations of the Watkins’ spaces for archival collections and public research began thanks to a $75,000 gift from Carol J. Koenig, announced last year. She donated $75,000 in memory of her mother, Daisy Viola Kramer Koenig, who grew up in Douglas County.

Now, a donation from the Sunderland Foundation is allowing the museum to also renovate the spaces on the second floor dedicated to archival collections storage and curatorial workspace, according to a Friday news release.

“The project includes 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 the release. “When completed, the full project will feature a new public use space, expanded storage, and updated equipment for digitizing and processing archival collections.”

Public research services have been suspended for the renovation, which is in progress and expected to be completed by the end of July.

Find more information about the Watkins Museum’s research services, and options for research while renovations are underway, at this link.

Hernly Associates Inc., of Lawrence, is the architect for the project, according to the release.

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