Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area (FFNHA) has relocated its offices from Lawrence’s Carnegie Building to the Watkins Museum of History amid growing uncertainty about the future of federal funding for National Heritage Areas across the country. The move helps secure the financial future of FFNHA’s vital grant programs while reinforcing FFNHA’s long-standing partnership with Douglas County and the Douglas County Historical Society.

“The City of Lawrence and Douglas County have been champions of Freedom’s Frontier since its inception. This decision reflects both our deep-rooted collaboration with those entities and our commitment to be responsible stewards of our resources,” said FFNHA Executive Director Lucinda Adams. “By consolidating our operations and reducing overhead, we can prioritize what matters most: supporting the incredible work being done by our partners across the heritage area.”

Lawrence’s Carnegie Building has housed FFNHA’s offices since 2003, when the nascent organization was known as the Bleeding Kansas National Heritage Area. Exhibit spaces featuring artifacts and interpretive panels about the region’s historical significance opened to the public in 2011.

The relocation not only strengthens organizational ties but also ensures that FFNHA can continue to provide critical funding for tourism and economic development throughout the region. The Watkins Museum now offers FFNHA maps and passport stamps, and public-engagement volunteers are on hand to welcome and guide visitors.

FFNHA’s new home at the Watkins Museum of History, itself a cornerstone of education and culture in the region, underscores the shared mission between the organizations to preserve and promote the stories that define the Kansas–Missouri border. “We’re thrilled to welcome Freedom’s Frontier,” said Steve Nowak, Executive Director of the Watkins Museum of History. “This partnership not only deepens our collaborative work but also positions both organizations to better serve the public and preserve the powerful stories of our region’s past.”

For more information about Freedom’s Frontier, upcoming grant opportunities, or FFNHA partners, please visit freedomsfrontier.org. For more information about the Watkins Museum of History, visit watkinsmuseum.org.