photo by: Joe Preiner

A view of the Robert H. Miller House located at 1111 East 19th St. The building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Several weekend events are included in this year’s “Civil War on the Border,” now in its 27th year. The 2022 program explores the intersections of natural and cultural history in Lawrence and Douglas County. Several programs are listed below and on the Watkins Museum of History website. Upcoming events also include concerts by the Lawrence Opera Theatre on Thursday through Saturday evenings, plus a Sunday matinee; See theatrelawrence.com for full details and ticket availability.

THURSDAY

• The Watkins Museum of History hosts Lisa Brady this evening for a free online lecture, “Environmental History of the Civil War.” She will speak on changes to the landscape and the environment during the war years as well as the conflict’s effect on greater acceptance of the wilderness. Join in on the museum’s Facebook or Twitter pages or on their Youtube account, 7-8 p.m.

FRIDAY

• Tickets must be purchased in advance for the morning tour of the historic Miller House, 1111 E. 19th St. Attendees will learn about the home’s story as it intertwined with the Underground Railroad and Quantrill’s Raid. See https://www.watkinsmuseum.org/event/structure-and-story-the-robert-h-miller-house/ for details and ticket information.

• Drop into the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St., today for the Kids’ Action Club Silent Art Auction, which will benefit Ukraine. The Club is teaming up with several local artists for a silent auction, with proceeds going toward Red Cross efforts to get supplies to Ukrainians. The auction lasts all day; final bids will be cast at a reception in the library auditorium, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

• “Civil War on the Border” continues with tonight’s “Retaliation during the Civil War,” an online talk by Lorien Foote. Forms of retaliation and the rationale for protection for North and South will be discussed. Join online, 7-8 p.m., at the social media and Youtube pages of the Watkins Museum of History.

SATURDAY

• The Watkins Museum’s annual memorial service for victims of Quantrill’s Raid will take place at 10 a.m. in the museum’s Community Room at 1047 Massachusetts St. A new program will follow as historian/photographer John Charlton joins Will Haynes, Watkins director of engagement and learning, for a presentation on photographer Alexander Gardner.

• Families are welcome at the Wakarusa River Valley Heritage Museum, 716 North 1190 Road, for an afternoon of activities related to the natural history of Kansas. The hands-on event will run from 2 to 4 p.m. No set fee; pay what you are able.

• “Civil War on the Border” continues with “Women of Early Lawrence,” an educational bus tour describing the lives and roles of important local women. Tickets are available at watkinsmuseum.org for the tour, which begins at the Watkins Museum of History, 1047 Massachusetts St., at 3 p.m.

• The Lawrence Summer Brew Fest kicks off at 4 p.m. at Abe & Jake’s Landing, 8 E. Sixth St. All of the proceeds from this 18+ event will go toward stabilizing housing in Lawrence and Douglas County. See more info at www.facebook.com/events/819808319447333/.

• The Lawrence Public Library marks the conclusion of the Summer Reading Program with a “Last Bash Movie,” 7 p.m., at 707 Vermont St. The celebration will include food and drink, art, music, giveaways and prizes as well as a screening of the movie “Luca.” Bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets to the library lawn, but no pets. Details at https://lawrence.bibliocommons.com/events/62dad1f63e78f5edf4bad11c.

• Brittany Keegan, Watkins Museum of History curator, leads a walking tour of historic Oak Hill Cemetery this evening, 7-8:30 p.m. Learn about Lawrence’s early settlers and their stories, including Quantrill’s Raid. Register in advance at the Lawrence Parks and Recreation website; see https://www.watkinsmuseum.org/event/quantrills-raid-graveyard-walking-tour/ for details.

• The Lawrence Barn Dance Association will hold a contra dance this evening at Bishop Seabury Academy, 4120 Clinton Parkway. A beginner’s lesson will start promptly at 7 p.m., followed by the dance at 7:30 p.m. Flexible admission rates are listed at https://www.facebook.com/events/399347038962105/. Boys of the Prairie will furnish music while Lisa Harris Frydman calls the dance.

SUNDAY

• Interested in making audio or video recordings? Attend the SOUND+VISION Videocast Studio Grand Opening at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St., 4:30-5:30 p.m. Come and learn what you can create as library staff welcomes guest Ryan White of Rode Microphones for this workshop.

• A walking tour of the Black Jack Battlefield takes place at 5-6 p.m. Participants will learn about the site’s significance during the Bleeding Kansas era. Meet at the battlefield, 163 East 2000 Road, Wellsville.

• At 7 p.m., join Eric Anderson of Haskell Indian Nations University for a presentation on the early tribes of Kansas. KU Director of Tribal Relations Melissa M. Peterson will follow with a talk about land acknowledgments. Watkins Museum of History, 1047 Massachusetts St.; also livestreamed on the museum’s Youtube, Facebook and Twitter pages.