Civil War on the Border

August 21-24, Watkins Museum of History

Douglas County's largest annual commemoration of its heritage

Now in its 30th year, Civil War on the Border is Lawrence’s largest annual history event.

This popular series will feature bus and walking tours of Quantrill’s Raid sites, talks with historians, and other events. A ticketing link will be available starting in early August.

Civil War on the Border 2025 is sponsored in part by Humanities Kansas and John Nalbandian.

Thursday August 21

8-10 AM: Quantrill’s Raid Walking Tour

7-8 PM: Online talk with George C. Rable: Religion during the Civil War

Friday August 22

8-10 AM: Quantrill’s Raid Walking Tour

10 AM-12 PM: Early Churches of Lawrence Walking Tour

6-8 PM: Americans exhibit reception

Saturday August 23

8-10 AM: Quantrill’s Raid Walking Tour: John

10-11:30 AM: Quantrill’s Raid Memorial and Performance of19th-century Kansas music with Derek Doty at Plymouth Church

1-2 PM: Online talk with Richard Carwardine: Abraham Lincoln’s Faith

3:30-5 PM: Presentations by Paul Stuewe: Origins of Civil war on the Border and Dorthy Pennington: Black Churches of Lawrence

Sunday August 24

8-10 AM: Quantrill’s Raid Walking Tour

10 AM-12 PM: Early Churches of Lawrence Walking Tour

12-2 PM: Quantrill’s Raid Bus Tour

 3-5 PM: Quantrill’s Raid Bus Tour

 7-8 PM: Online talk with James P. Byrd: The Bible and the Civil War

Founder’s Day service at Plymouth Church