Quincy McCrary wanted to soak up a little Kansas history Sunday but he didn’t expect to find a standing-room-only crowd inside a Civil War-era house in East Lawrence’s Hobbs Park.

“I’ve always had a historical interest in East Lawrence,” McCrary said. “It’s a nice day and people wanted to get out.”

Not everyone was watching Kansas University’s men’s basketball team play in the NCAA tournament.

About 30 people gathered at the Murphy-Bromelsick House, near 10th and Delaware streets, to hear local historian Barbara Brackman tell stories about some of the key players at work in Lawrence and Kansas during the 1850s “Bleeding Kansas” era. The visitors stretched out the front door and onto the porch.

“These are the type of people here who are really interested in history,” Brackman said after talking to the group for an hour.

Brackman’s stories fit in with an exhibition at the house, “First Blood: Prelude to the Civil War.” The exhibit consists of panels with information about pre-Civil War characters.

Also Sunday a plaque was unveiled bearing the names of businesses, groups and individuals who donated $500 or more for moving the Murphy-Bromelsick House from its previous location in the 900 block of Pennsylvania.

The house is a memorial to Lawrence anti-slavery activist and newspaper publisher John Speer. Although Speer did not live in the house, Hobbs Park was the site of his homestead.

One of the those attending the event was Cindy Nau.

Diane Weber, Lawrence, looks at some illustrated mock-ups of stories of Kansas history. About 30 people visited the Murphy-Bromelsick House at Hobbs Park for a talk and open house on Sunday.

“I think this is very interesting,” Nau said. “It’s a good connection to local history.”

Nau also was interested in the house, itself.

“This is the first glimpse I’ve had of the inside of it,” she said.

Brackman was pleased with the turnout for the Sunday afternoon event.

“This is a local history that is so fascinating and important,” Brackman said. “We’re very lucky to have it.”