The Independence Historical Museum and Art Center houses antiques, artwork and historical artifacts in 22 rooms of the Nationally Registered Post Office/Federal Building. The museum creates a sense of exciting evolution from the 1800s when Independence was called "Hay Town" to the present, now a busy Southeast Kansas city of more than 9,000 people. The museum's permanent exhibits in 22 rooms tell stories of the early settlers' lifestyles; the history of the oil industry; some of the Indian Culture collection and various historical artifacts. Also on display: an 1850s barber shop, a large military display, fishing tackle collection, 1869 furnished log cabin, 1884 school classroom, old general store, doctor's office, bedroom, dining room, parlor, kitchen, toy room, blacksmith shop, antique tools, toy collection, shoe store, fire department and more. Various activities are held each year at the museum such as quilt fairs, arts and craft fairs, the Verdigris Valley Art Exhibit and numerous museum social events. Members of the museum gather monthly for a luncheon and program throughout the year except in the summer. The Independence Historical Museum was owned and operated by the Ladies Library Association organized in 1882. Upon completion of the Carnegie Library in 1907, the association turned the 3,500 volumes it had acquired over to the city. Its first objective completed, the group devoted its efforts to securing an art collection for its people. A new charter was created in 1926 with the name Ladies Library and Art Association. In 1963, the association purchased the Old Post Office/Federal Building at 8th and Myrtle Streets as a cultural center for the community, a repository for the art collection and as a museum to preserve the history of the area. The museum building was placed on the State and National Registers for Historic Sites in 1988. In January 2000, the Independence Museum joined with the Montgomery County Historical Society. The name was changed to The Independence Historical Museum, founded by the Ladies Library and Art Association and the home of Montgomery County Historical Society.
