Constitution Hall State Historic Site

06/20/2026

06/05/2026

Constitution Hall is proud to unveil our portion of "Finding Freedom: The Promise of 1776", a six-part exhibition across Douglas County commemorating America's 250th year.

Our exhibit was entirely researched and designed by a fantastic team of KU grad students, and focuses on the 'Kansas Controversy' that swept the nation in the late 1850's. That political controversy over Kansas statehood and the Lecompton Constitution pitted Americans against one another and threatened to undo the promise of 1776 that was made with the Declaration of Independence. The exhibit will be up all summer, come check it out!

While you're at it, be sure to visit the other five Finding Freedom exhibits across the county!

Those Who Were Left Out: Watkins Museum of History

The Women's Spirit: Santa Fe Trail Historical Society History Room (Baldwin Public Library)

Stories from the Western Frontier: Eudora Area Historical Society

Freedom Fueled by the Underground Railroad: Wakarusa River Valley Heritage Museum

Honoring the Veterans who Made America 250 Possible: Territorial Capital Museum

05/22/2026

The Kansas State Historical Society is seeking a part-time staff member for Constitution Hall State Historic Site located in Lecompton, Kansas. Constitution Hall is tied to the history of Territorial Kansas and Bleeding Kansas as proslavery; abolitionist and free state forces vied for control of the territory’s governance and future. Duties include opening and closing the historic site, providing guided tours, greeting and orienting guests for their self-guided tour, processing retail sales and light janitorial work. It is a great opportunity for someone with a love of history and sharing it with guests. The historic site is open year-round to the public 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Wednesday – Saturday and 1 - 5 p.m. Sunday. Closed on state holidays. Applications are accepted until midnight on June 1, 2026. To apply: https://tinyurl.com/y5ukynt6

05/21/2026

The "Sacking of Lawrence" took place 170 years ago today, on May 21st, 1856, escalating the already delicate political situation in Kansas Territory.

That morning, a force of roughly 800 deputized militiamen from various southern states assembled on the ridge west of Lawrence, as per the call by US Marshall Israel Donalson to help carry out warrants for members of the extra-legal Free State legislature. After Donalson dismissed his successful force in the afternoon, Douglas County Sheriff Samuel Jones re-mobilized the men and went on to destroy the Free State Hotel and both of Lawrence's antislavery newspaper offices, and attempted to disarm the residents of Lawrence of their weapons of war, as per the recommendation by Territorial Supreme Court Chief Justice Samuel Lecompte's grand jury in Lecompton. Also destroyed was the home of Charles and Sara Robinson, as well as an unknown amount of Lawrence residents' personal property.

This event in many respects began the period of violence during the summer of 1856.

05/20/2026

05/16/2026

The Kanzas News, May 15, 1858, Emporia, Kansas Territory

05/06/2026

Constitution Hall State Historic Site will close May 6 at 11:00 a.m. for a staff member's funeral. The site will be reopen for normal hours (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) on May 7.

03/19/2026

In early 1858, Kansas statehood under the new Lecompton Constitution was the top political issue in the nation. Americans had followed the violent turmoil since 1855, all the while choosing their own arguments of whether they thought Kansas should be admitted as a Slave State under the Lecompton Constitution, or a Free State under the Topeka Constitution.

Then president James Buchanan endorsed the Lecompton decision, while Stephen A Douglas broke with Buchanan's administration despite sharing the same political party and opposed it.

Our posts for the next several weeks will follow the course of events that ultimately kept Kansas from becoming a state allowing Slavery, impacting the fate of the nation.

03/12/2026

Another Bleeding Kansas Program Series in the books!

We'd like to thank all of our excellent speakers for their wonderful programs, and want to extend that thanks to everyone who came out to support the site during the series. Your support means a lot, and we couldn't do it without all of you!

Be sure to join us next year, for what will be our 30th Bleeding Kansas Program Series!