. . . a city with a population of about 90,000 is nestled in the wooded and lush green rolling hills of northeast Kansas. With its hills, colorful Victorian dwellings, stately churches and tree-lined streets, central Lawrence might appear to be a misplaced New England village.
West Lawrence
is one of the few large neighborhoods listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was a finalist in the "America's Prettiest Painted Places" competition. In 2000, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Lawrence one of its Dozen Distinctive Destinations, touting the city as one of the "best preserved and unique communities in America.
Art Scene
Thanks to the university community, Lawrence offers
a wide variety of cultural and educational opportu-
nities. The National Endowment for the Arts has
placed Lawrence among the top 12 cities in the
country with the largest percentage of professional
artists in the work force. According to author John
Villani, the city was among the top 15 in "The 100
Best Small Arts Towns in America." Parents and
Colleges stated that “In Lawrence, you can feel that artsy vibe practically everywhere: in public art exhibits that bring sculpture and mosaic projects to street corners throughout the city."
The Lawrence Arts Center, The Lied Center, KU's performance arts center, The Spencer Museum of Art, The Lawrence Community Theater, and Liberty Hall, all provide exceptional arts and entertainment activities. The Lawrence Arts Center perhaps is the only organization in the country that has an arts-based preschool. The Lied Center, the University of Kansas' multimillion-dollar performing arts center, was ranked by International Arts Manager magazine as one of the "Top U.S. University Presenters." Liberty Hall, a restored 19th Century opera house, features live entertainment as well as artsy cinema. The Spencer Museum of Art was stated by U.S. News and World Report to be “one of the top 10 college art museums in the nation”.
Art Tougeau, is an unusual community event held each year in which families and individuals bring their car, bicycle, and whatever that moves, then paint them while eating popcorn and listening to the music of various local bands. The purpose of the entire event is to revel in creativity and honor the human spirit with a sense of humor. It is a celebration of community; of eccentricity and acceptance; and of shared joy that glides along in tricked-out cars, fanciful bikes and decorated wheelchairs.
Internationally renowned crop-art pioneer, Stan Herd, resides in Lawrence. This method of artistic expression involves the manipulation of plants, soil, and rock to create masterpieces on a grand scale using earth as the canvas. His work reflects a spiritual connection with the land, and respect for Native American.
Music
Music is the way of life in Lawrence. Classical, big band, blues or rock, take a stroll down Massachusetts Street any night of the week to hear Lawrence’s fresh new talent. U.S. News and World Report recently stated that “known for its music scene, Lawrence puts on music festivals year round”. Parents and Colleges remarked that “in the Lawrence Arts
Center performing and visual arts come together under one roof, in a live music scene that's light–years ahead of what's playing on the radio.”
Lawrence gave birth to the now famous Wakarusa Music & Camping Festival, billed as the event "Where Music Meets Mother Nature"
The festival, named after the Wakurasa River that runs through the city, is known for an eclectic mix of music and features Grammy award winning artists. It attracts crowds from all over the country
History
The seed behind the undying spirit and pride of Lawrence citizens can be found by looking to the past. New England Abolitionists belonging to the New England Emigrant Aid Society founded Lawrence in 1854 to prevent the then Kansas territory from becoming a slave state. Lawrence is therefore one of the few cities founded purely for political reasons and was named after the financier of the abolitionists, Amos Lawrence, a Boston, Massachusetts native.
Lawrence acted as an important link on the Underground Railroad, helping escaped slaves
reach freedom, and as a magnate for free state forces. In 1856, a raid on Lawrence by
proslavery forces from Missouri resulted in the destruction of most property in the town and
the perishing of a large segment of its population —the massacre was the bloodiest attack on
civilians during the Civil War.
The resilient citizens of Lawrence banded together to bury their dead and rebuild their city.
Lawrence's motto, "From Ashes to Immortality," is inspired by the efforts of these settlers, and
stands for the determination of the people of Lawrence to stand and fight for the rights and
dignity of people everywhere. Many homes and buildings reconstructed or built after the
sacking of Lawrence are in use today. The "free state" theme is still alive today and
is a very popular business name - the city’s high school is named Free State High School.
Lawrence's streets are named after the states in the order they came into the Union; beginning with Delaware. Massachusetts Street was designated the "main" street because Lawrence's founders were from Massachusetts.
After the war, the railroads opened Kansas to a large influx of settlers. In 1865, local citizens founded the University of Kansas. Lawrence rapidly recovered from the civil war, quintupling in size by 1870. After a slow growth period in the first part of the 20th Century, Lawrence’s population exploded in 1960s-70s, when many young people from the east, originally on their way to the counter-cultural revolution in California, settled here due to the natural beauty of the area, cultural tolerance, and diversity.
Downtown
Linger on Massachusetts Street and you'll discover why "Mass" has been called one of America's loveliest main streets. The historic downtown district is populated by century-old buildings, eclectic boutiques, diverse watering holes and restaurants, music venues and antique shops. Art galleries, studios and a museum also are located downtown. Although cutting-edge merchandise and innovative ideas will greet you at every storefront, a key to Downtown's appeal lies in the friendly Midwestern service behind the counter. That's where you'll find business owners with captivating stories, years of expertise and a genuine interest in the art of customer service. According to the Lonely Planet USA, “Lawrence features perhaps one of the country’s nicest downtowns."
5005 Legends Drive, Lawrence, KS 66049 (785) 840-9555 info_lawrencemontessorischool.com
