PRESS RELEASE
January 16, 2025

Contact: Andrew Stockmann, Curator of Exhibitions, astockmann@watkinsmuseum.org

Lawrence – The Watkins Museum of History is proud to announce an exhibition sponsorship for 2025 and three special exhibitions commemorating the centennial anniversary of Stevens & Brand, the 75th anniversary of Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, and the museum’s own 50th anniversary.

Stevens & Brand is the Watkins Museum of History’s 2025 Exhibitions Sponsor. The museum is grateful for the firm’s support of the following temporary exhibitions:


• Century of Experience: Stevens & Brand Celebrates 100 Years - Community Gallery, February 7 – March 29
• The Watkins at 50: Making History with our Community - Third Floor Gallery, March 7 – July 5
• The Bert Nash Center Legacy: Responding to Needs, Restoring Lives, and Building a Healthy Community - Community Gallery, April 18 – May 31
• Jayhawks vs. Tigers: The Kansas/Missouri Athletics Rivalry - Third Floor Gallery, October 17, 2025 – March 14, 2026

Century of Experience: Stevens & Brand Celebrates 100 Years explores how the firm has been an integral part of Northeast Kansas for 100 years. An engaging timeline display will share about the firm’s response to local and national changes since 1925. The exhibition will be on view in the museum’s Community Gallery from February 7-March 29 before permanent installation in Stevens & Brand’s Lawrence office.


“Stevens & Brand has proudly served Lawrence and Northeast Kansas since its founding by Richard Stevens and John Brand in 1925”, says Brad Finkeldei, Managing Partner of Stevens & Brand. “The partners that shaped our growth dedicated much of their energy towards community and state organizations. We are proud to continue that legacy and extend our congratulations to Bert Nash Center and Watkins Museum of History for their respective anniversaries. Our firm is grateful to see so many organizations succeed in providing such essential educational, social, health, and cultural services.


As we celebrate our own centennial anniversary, the entire team of Stevens & Brand would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the community we consider our home.”