photo by: Journal-World File

The Watkins Museum, at 1047 Massachusetts St., is shown on Sept. 15, 2018.

The Watkins Museum of History this week will open a new exhibition on the history and notable figures in the athletics rivalry between the University of Kansas and the University of Missouri.

The exhibition, called “Jayhawks vs. Tigers,” explores the nation’s second oldest sports rivalry, according to a news release from the museum. The display will be in the museum’s third-floor gallery from Friday through March 14, 2026.

It will include artifacts from the museum’s collection, such as a game program from 1896, alongside items on loan from Kansas Athletics, the Kansas City Chiefs, former KU basketball player Isaac “Bud” Stallworth, Kansas Public Radio, and local football helmet collector Jerry Quickel. The exhibit will also have interview clips from former KU announcer Tom Hedrick, who shares memories from his broadcasting career.

“I grew up near Kansas City and remember watching the iconic football and basketball showdowns between KU and MU in the late 2000s and early 2010s. The history between the two schools feels personal for so many in our area,” Andrew Stockmann, curator of exhibitions, said in the release. “I am thrilled to present a local sports exhibition that dives into the passion and iconic players, coaches, and moments behind this nationally famous rivalry. Thank you to the lenders who contributed artifacts for the exhibition.”

The museum, 1047 Massachusetts St., is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday through Saturday. Admission to the museum and the “Jayhawks vs. Tigers” exhibition is free.