photo by: Watkins Museum of History

Donna Rae Pearson will share the story of Juneteenth from Emancipation to its modern celebration. "The Taste of Freedom: A Juneteenth Foodways Journey" will be Aug. 22 at First United Methodist Church.

The Watkins Museum of History will hold the annual Civil War on the Border series later this month at locations throughout Lawrence.

This year the Watkins is highlighting connections between 1776 and 1863 by rebranding the series as “American Revolution AND Civil War on the Border.”

The series, which has a different theme each year, will be Aug. 20-23. It will feature live online talks with distinguished historians discussing how the people and ideas of the American Revolution inspired Americans 80 years later during the Civil War.

Another event, “The Taste of Freedom: A Juneteenth Foodways Journey,” will feature Donna Rae Pearson discussing Kansas’ African American history of celebrating freedom with “Emancipation Day” in communities across the state long before Juneteenth became a national holiday. Pearson’s event — at 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 22 at First United Methodist Church — is part of Humanities Kansas’ “Kansas Folklife: Celebrating Kansas Traditions” series.

On Aug. 21 a talk titled “Weapons of the Civil War” will feature a chance to view Watkins artifacts up close and hear about how these weapons were used. A full-size reproduction cannon will be displayed in the parking lot behind the museum, courtesy of Camp No. 4, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. On Aug. 22 the Watkins will host “Danger and Glory: The Life of a Civil War Soldier.”

Started by Katie Armitage, Paul Stuewe and Rob Phillips over 30 years ago, Civil War on the Border marks the anniversary of Quantrill’s Raid with bus and walking tours, historical talks and a memorial service for the victims of the raid.

The full schedule and links for ticketed events are available at watkinsmuseum.org. Civil War on the Border 2026 is sponsored by Humanities Kansas and the John Nalbandian Gift Fund.