Last updated: 6/27/2012
203 W. Franklin St.
Clinton, MO 64735
Monday - Saturday
10 AM - 4 PM
Monday - Friday
1 PM - 4 PM
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Brenda Dehn
phone: 660-885-8414
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When you visit the Henry County Museum and Cultural Arts Complex, you take a step back in time. The rich heritage of Henry County is alive in every room of this unique museum and cultural arts complex. Located at 203 West Franklin, just off the Historic Square District in Clinton, Missouri, this museum complex is composed of four buildings which reflect the diverse architecture of Henry County.
In 1974, the old Anheuser-Busch building was purchased and refurbished to be the Henry County Museum and Cultural Arts Complex. Dedication was in July 1976 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in August 1991. In 1988, a gift was made of the joining building, now known as the Annex to the Museum, which houses our Art Exhibit and The Indoor Village.
In 1990, the society acquired the property where our parking lot and the Homestead has been established. In the mid 1990 a gift was made of the old Henry County Bank building, now known as the DeLozier Building and Children's Corner. In 2002, neighboring property was purchased to extend the Homestead.
Built in 1852, the home of Jerubial and Udolpha Dorma. It was the first two story brick home in built Clinton. The home has bene restored with period furnishings. The Downstairs features a front parlor with portraits of the Dorman family. Across the hallway is Judge Dorman's office. The back of the home consists of a parlor / music room, and the dinning room. The upstairs consists of the master bedroom, children's bedroom, and nursery.
Another asset of the Society is the Genealogy Library. Researchers from many states find the history of family member who were living in Henry County. People coming here searching for their roots originally wanted birth dates dash death dates. Now they are looking for the events that happened to their family members during the dash years.The foresight of a former president led to the establishment of the Perpetual Fund. This is another example of the concern and planning all the previous members had for the future of the museum. As a former president said, "Officials come and go, they are merely a link in the chain of growth and events". Our loyalties and efforts should always be toward a Society that cares. Our museum reflects that kind of loyalty and efforts.
None of this would have happened without volunteers. Volunteers have literally moved buildings and made time stand still. The Henry County Historical Society and Museum are wonderful examples of what volunteers can do. People volunteer for a wide variety of reasons. Our volunteers have all gained from their experiences. As one member said, "The wonderful people I have met and the friends I have made in the Henry County Historical Society have been a valuable asset to my life".
The Henry County Historical Society was reorganized in June 1966 and was chartered at this time. An earlier society was started in 1954, but was never chartered. Two hundred and four interested people joined forces to begin an investment of a wonderful society and museum that today has grown to a membership of over 645 people. One of the first curators said, There is no limit as to what a group can do, if no one cares who gets the credit and there are no ego needs. The hard work and dedication of these early members has left us the legacy of a strong foundation on which to continue to build.
The main museum building is the historic Anheuser-Busch building constructed in 1886 as a distribution center. Collections include artifacts of local origin, the Courtenay Thomas Collection of rare world antiques, and the paintings of artist Louis Freund.
The adjacent Adair Annex allows you to stroll down the streets of a village in the late 1800's. Composed of original facades and interiors reassembled from buildings which once stood in several communities around the county. This exhibit let's you catch a glimpse of a much simpler life.
An art gallery is also present in the Adair Annex. The gallery contains a collection of the works of internationally recognized artists Louis and Elsie Freund. Louis was a WPA artist and a native of Clinton. The works of various local artists are also prominently displayed. In addition, the annex features various temporary exhibits throughout the year, along with a large collection of sculptures by Thomas Clark.
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