To the editor:

I’ve been concerned in reading about the ongoing financial woes of the Watkins Museum. As a history teacher, I’m quite proud to live in a town with such a rich historical past. The seeds of the bloodiest conflict on American soil were planted in Lawrence and most U.S. history textbooks mention Lawrence’s pre-Civil War role. Many high schoolers around the country know Lawrence’s history, but do we who live here? It is a shame that there seems to be inadequate funding for a museum that properly reflects Lawrence’s colorful history.

In the July 6 article about the financial trouble of the museum, Rebecca Phipps is quoted as saying that “the museum might as well close” without the additional funding. I can’t believe that the community of Lawrence would allow the museum to close! Lawrencians are obviously proud of their city. Take for example our beautiful downtown or the great public parks scattered throughout the city. These are just a few of the things that make Lawrence fantastic. How can the Lawrence community plan for the future while forgetting the past?

Lawrence deserves to have a first-class museum befitting a community with such a pivotal role in America’s history. I don’t know how this can be accomplished, but I feel strongly that we as a community have an obligation to preserve Lawrence’s past.

Sara Adkins,

Lawrence