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In Hansen Hall, an exhibition of archival material takes its cue from Samantha Harvey’s Orbital, KU’s 2026–27 Common Book.
All times are local to the venue · America/Chicago
A congressional archive might not be the first place visitors look for the history of space exploration. At the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics in Lawrence, Dwell in Possibility: Space Exploration in the Dole Archives uses documents, photographs and other artifacts to approach that history through a collection associated with public service.
The exhibition’s frame is the period of Senator Bob Dole’s career in public service, which encompassed the Apollo 11 moon landing, the Space Shuttle program and the Hubble Space Telescope project. Documents, photographs and other artifacts offer an archival perspective on American space exploration.
Its source material comes from the Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archives and Special Collections, which documents both senators’ lives and careers as well as broader political, social and cultural history. The space exhibition is one way into a collection whose holdings also include manuscripts, film and objects.
Further reading: Dwell in Possibility: Space Exploration in the Dole Archives - The University of KansasUniversity of Kansas logo ↗ · research-7e760a009a58 ↗
The exhibit draws on themes from Orbital, Samantha Harvey’s novel about six astronauts and cosmonauts spending a single day aboard a space station. The book gives readers a fictional account of life in orbit; the Hansen Hall display turns to historical material from the Dole Archives.
Orbital is KU’s Common Book selection for the 2026–27 academic year. Members of the KU community can request a copy through the university’s Common Book program if they want to explore the literary connection before or after visiting.
Further reading: Dwell in Possibility: Space Exploration in the Dole Archives - The University of KansasUniversity of Kansas logo ↗ · Orbital by Samantha Harvey | KU Reads: A Common Book ExperienceUniversity of Kansas logo ↗
Visitors interested in how archival collections are cared for can also ask about the Institute’s separate Dole Archives tour. Offered as an addition to its Darby and Hansen Gallery tour, it introduces preservation work and onsite collection storage. Tours are free and must be arranged with the public education manager; the Institute asks visitors to schedule up to two weeks ahead.
Further reading: » Tours & Activities ↗
The exhibition listing gives dates but no viewing hours. The Institute’s own site lists Monday as closed, although the KU calendar includes Monday exhibition dates. Call 785-864-4900 to confirm access before making the trip.
Dwell in Possibility: Space Exploration in the Dole Archives - The University of KansasUniversity of Kansas logo ↗ · research-7e760a009a58 ↗
Audio description is available for many special exhibits, but availability for Dwell in Possibility is not confirmed. For an accommodation request, the Institute asks visitors to contact it at least four business days ahead.
The exhibition is in Hansen Hall at the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS 66045. The event’s map links can calculate transit, driving or walking directions from your starting point; check parking and route details before traveling.
Dwell in Possibility: Space Exploration in the Dole Archives - The University of KansasUniversity of Kansas logo ↗ · Dwell in Possibility: Space Exploration in the Dole Archives - The University of KansasUniversity of Kansas logo ↗
The exhibition draws on the novel’s themes, but the listing does not make reading it a condition of entry.
Confirm with the Institute before going: KU lists Monday dates, but the Institute’s general hours say it is closed Mondays.
Dwell in Possibility: Space Exploration in the Dole Archives - The University of KansasUniversity of Kansas logo ↗ · research-7e760a009a58 ↗
Yes. The Institute offers a free archives tour as an addition to its gallery tour. Contact the public education manager to arrange it up to two weeks before your visit.
2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS 66045
Map search by venue and address. Check the organiser’s entrance details before travelling.
Images from the linked sources. Each caption identifies the context of the image.
Event, planning and background information checked 2026-10-29 against the linked sources.