In 2001, Dennis Domer and Barbara Watkins published Embattled Lawrence: Conflict & Community, featuring a collection of articles from historians, civic leaders, and community stakeholders. Today, Embattled Lawrence remains the only summary of the history of Lawrence published in the last three decades. As David Katzman, Professor of American Studies and History at the University of Kansas aptly stated, “for anyone whose path has run through Lawrence, it is essential reading.”
And now Embattled Lawrence is being expanded. Over the past few years, Dennis, Barbara, Dave Evans, Bill Tuttle, and Jeanne Klein have worked to gather and organize the content for three additional volumes of this community history anthology. Volume 2: The Enduring Struggles for Freedom debuted in the summer of 2023 and now the Embattled Lawrence team is working to raise funds for the third volume Building the City.
This remarkable undertaking will be a priceless addition to the community consciousness of Lawrence — an extensive anthology to preserve and communicate the past. Donations go through the Douglas County Historical Society, a 501(c)3 organization.