Local Lawrence History was a passionate interest for retired Professor Dennis Domer, and retirement from Kansas University finally gave him time to launch an ambitious local history of the City of Lawrence. Embattled Lawrence: Conflict and Community (2001) was the first of a planned four volume history of a culturally and historically unique community. It focuses on settlement, The Border War and Civil War periods. The book was well received and a revised and reprinted copy will be available soon. Volume II, Embattled Lawrence: The Enduring Struggle for Freedom, is now available at the Raven Bookstore. It covers significant Lawrence institutions, civil rights and Haskell Indian Nations University. A third volume, Building the City, is planned with more articles by local experts and a fourth volume will be a compilation of historical photographs from various sources.
Dennis Domer believes history should not be “sugar coated” if we are truly to understand ourselves. He works with a team of experts who are committed to the project, which is funded primarily by donations. Profits go to support the work of Watkins Historical Museum.
