Featured Exhibits
Special Exhibits
ERA in the Heartland: Ratification and Reconsideration in Kansas, 1973-1980
Now open in the Elizabeth Dole Gallery & Reading Room
About the Exhibit
In the early 1970s states raced to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment after it was passed in Congress. It seemed inevitable that the legislation, granting equal rights to men and women, would become the 27th amendment to the United States Constitution. Grassroots movements – for and against the amendment – mobilized swiftly in response. Highlighting the voices of ordinary Kansans, this exhibit explores the dialogue surrounding the adoption of the ERA in our state and its legacy today.
This exhibit is based on University of Kansas History and Journalism student Alexandra Haggar’s Honors thesis: “Rescind ERA: The Failed Efforts in Kansas to Rescind Ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, 1973-1980.”
This exhibit is presented in partnership with the KU Department of History and with special thanks to Dr. Marie Grace Brown.
Election Administrators/Election Designers
Now open in the Simons Media Room
Elections don’t just happen. They’re designed and administered by over 10,000 local election offices throughout the United States. Ahead of the General Election, explore how election administrators design and execute an election in your community from the moment an election is scheduled to long after the final ballot has been cast.
This exhibit is presented through the Bolstering Elections Initiative from the Dole Institute and the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate. Learn more about the initiative here.
A special exhibit from the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford.
Interested in previous special exhibits at the Dole Institute?
Visit the Dole Archives website to see a selection of previous special exhibits that have been on display at the Dole Institute.
Permanent Exhibits
The Darby & Hansen Galleries
Open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Exhibits that Tell a Story
Surrounding the Dole Institute’s main halls are display cases that depict major moments of Senator Bob Dole’s life. These exhibits show and tell the story of Senator Dole’s childhood in Russell, Kansas, his service in World War II, his recovery and accession to Congress, major achievements, and his post-political career. Along the way, you’ll see unique archival objects that provide background on the Senator’s major accomplishments and the society as a whole throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.
The Kansas Veterans Virtual Memory Wall
When the Dole Institute was dedicated in 2003, over 1,000 World War II veterans joined Senator Bob Dole in being permanently displayed in the Darby Gallery. Since then, the Dole Institute has collected even more profiles from veterans who served in WWII and conflicts since. Explore this expansive database of Kansas veterans using our interactive kiosk in the Darby Gallery.
The World’s Largest Stained Glass American Flag Window & September 11 Memorial
In the south end of Hansen Hall, guests can take in the beauty of the world’s largest stained glass American flag window. Featuring over 900 unique pieces, the window was designed and installed by a group based out of St. Paul, Minnesota. Adjacent to the window are two original beams from the World Trade Center in New York, NY. Each beam was installed in Tower One, and later presented to the Dole Institute by Mayor Michael Bloomberg in appreciation for Senator Bob Dole’s work with former President Bill Clinton to develop the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund.
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.