Photos courtesy of the Lawrence Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Lawrence
Lawrence, The Art of a City
Travel just 40 miles west of Kansas City on I-70 and you'll find a town, Lawrence, ranked by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of the "Dozen Most Distinctive Destinations" in 2000, touting it as "one of the most well-preserved and unique communities in the United States." Nestled amidst the rolling hills of Northeast Kansas, this college town of more than 80,000 is home to the University of Kansas and Haskell Indian Nations University.
Founded in 1854 by the New England Emigrant Aid Society in an effort to keep the territory free from slavery, Lawrence is said to be one of the only U.S. cities founded strictly for political reasons. During the Civil War, Lawrence was home to many Abolitionists and Free Staters. It was a town representative of anti-slavery sentiments, making it the target of several attacks by pro-slavery bushwhackers. On August 21, 1863, the infamous Quantrill's Raid resulted in the deaths of more than 150 unarmed Lawrence men and boys and nearly destroyed the young city in what has become by historians as one of the worst atrocities of the Civil War. As a result, Lawrence has evolved into a melting pot of ideas and styles, artists and scholars, past and present.
Meander along Massachusetts Street and you'll soon see why "Mass. Street" has been called one of America's most authentic main streets. The five-block downtown district is lined with century-old buildings, eclectic boutiques, tempting sidewalk cafes, curious antique shops and a multitude of art galleries and studios. Live music plays along the street every night of the week, from folk to jazz, rock to blues and everything in between.
On KU's scenic 950-acre campus, you will find a treasure trove of things to do and see. At the KU Natural History Museum, you will see nationally recognized exhibits, including Comanche, the only U.S. Army survivor of the Battle of Little Big Horn. Benton, Chihuly, Curry, Monet, Rossetti and Wood are a few of the artists featured at the Spencer Museum of Art. With a 23-foot stained glass American flag as a backdrop, follow the path of Bob Dole from a modest home in Russell to his role as U.S. Senate Majority Leader and presidential candidate at the Dole Institute of Politics. Then spend your evening watching award-winning artists from all corners of the globe perform on stage at the Lied Center of Kansas.
Take a visual tour of Lawrence's hot spots, read more about its fiery history, peruse the extensive events calendar and soak in a little of its ambiance at www.visitlawrence.com. While you're there, don't forget to book your hotel reservations online so you can experience "The Art of a City."
Authentic, Enchanting, Alluring, Appealing.
Contact the Lawrence Visitor Information Center at (785) 865-4499, 1-888-529-5267, or e-mail visinfo@visitlawrence.com.
Click on the Trip Planner for listings of more attractions, events, shopping, dining and lodging in Lawrence and other Kansas communities.
