From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Oct. 16, 1974:

After nearly a year of work, the Elizabeth M. Watkins Community Museum restoration project was nearing completion, according to project coordinator John T. Andrews. A successful fundraising campaign had been completed a year earlier, and workers had been toiling since then to repair, redecorate, assemble old fixtures, refinish some of the original furniture, and replace the utilities. The second level had been repaired and painted, old bank fixtures installed, light fixtures put in place and rare marble repaired. The refinishing of the old wood flooring on the third level remained to be finished, as well as carpeting on the lower floor. Among modern improvements made were installation of new heating and air conditioning units and a passenger elevator. Andrews anticipated the building would be ready for donor inspection within a month.