From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Sept. 17, 1974:

A search had begun for a curator for the Elizabeth M. Watkins Community Museum, an indication that restoration of the old Watkins Bank (and recent City Hall) was nearing completion. Glenn Kappelman, president of the Douglas County Historical Society, was heading a committee taking applications and scheduling interviews for the position of director at the museum. Kappelman reported that he had already received about a dozen applications. The old bank building had been given to the city by Mrs. Watkins in 1929 to be used as a city hall. When the city had moved in 1970 into new quarters in the First National Bank building, title to the property had reverted to nine residual beneficiaries in Mrs. Watkins’ will. The beneficiaries had then agreed to give the property to the local historical society for a museum, and a fund drive had then started which had resulted in gifts of nearly $300,000 to finance the building’s renovation.