Museum
From the world’s largest stained-glass American Flag window, to archival video footage narrated by Senator Dole himself, the Dole Institute offers guests unique glimpses into the life and legacies of Senators Bob and Elizabeth Dole. The Institute features permanent exhibits in the Darby Gallery and Hansen Hall that tell the story of Senator Dole’s life, and special exhibits in the Elizabeth Dole Reading Room that highlight unique moments in history using archival manuscripts and objects.
Additionally, the Dole Institute features a September 11 Memorial, the Kansas Veterans Virtual Memory Wall, Kansas Limestone, and more. Explore all that we have to offer here, and plan your visit to the Dole Institute using our guide below.
Plan your Visit
Hours
Tuesday – Sunday: 12-4 p.m.
Closed on Mondays and major holidays
Admission
Free for all guests | The Dole Institute is open to the public with no admission fee. We encourage you to make a donation to support our efforts of preserving Senator Bob Dole’s legacy, and providing a forum for bipartisan civil discourse and civic participation.
Parking
Limited free visitor parking adjacent to the building | The Dole Institute has limited free parking spots for visitors and guests of the Institute in Lot 300A between the Dole Institute and the Lied Center of Kansas. The remainder of the lot requires a valid University of Kansas parking permit from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you’re planning on visiting more locations throughout the University of Kansas, learn more about purchasing a Visitor Permit and metered parking.
Explore KU
In the heart of KU, steps away from all of Lawrence
The Dole Institute is proud to be in the heart of Lawrence at the University of Kansas. Plan your visit to the Institute with other major destinations around town and at KU, including the historic Allen Fieldhouse, Jayhawk Boulevard, Massachusetts Street, and more.
Kansas Veterans Virtual Memory Wall
Everyone has a story to tell. Share yours today. The Dole Institute proudly continues Senator Bob Dole’s commitment to honoring Kansas veterans past and present with the Kansas Veterans Virtual Memory Wall. Guests can explore our permanent installation and expanded online database of over thousands of veterans who served our country in World War II and conflicts since. Submit a veteran profile today and explore the Dole Institute’s full database.
Virtual Tour
The Dole Institute of Politics was designed by Steve Abend of the Kansas City architectural firm Asai Architecture. At the time of its dedication, Abend said the building’s design attempted to express the “intangible qualities which represent Senator Dole.”
Explore the Dole Institute’s museum and galleries virtually with Google Earth, and explore what’s in store for when you view our galleries in Darby and Hansen Halls, and the Elizabeth Dole Reading Room.
The Dole Institute is committed to universal accessibility in all programs and resources. We are in the process of making all of our web projects fully accessible. An accessible version of the material represented on this site will be made available upon request. Please contact us at doleinstitute@ku.edu to request the material be made available in an accessible format, or for general assistance.