Connecting the Past to the Present
for the Benefit Future Generations
November 14
Echoes of History
Join us on Saturday, November 14th at 10 AM in the Adair Annex and Museum Welcome Center for our next Echoes of History roundtable.
No formal agenda, no tickets required. Just hot coffee, good company, and the irreplaceable stories that only you can tell.
There’s laughter, a few “I’d forgotten all about that!” moments, and stories that flow faster than we can catch them. We want more.
Bring a photo, a memory, or just yourself. Every voice matters. Whether you’ve lived here your whole life or moved here yesterday, everyone is welcome.
History isn’t just in books or old newspapers. It’s in you. Come share it with us.
November 14
Dorman House Soup, Wassail, & Tours
Mark your calendar for Saturday, November 14, when the Dorman House opens its doors as part of Clinton’s Merry Main Street celebration.
Join us from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., guests are invited to a soup tasting featuring three varieties of homemade soup. Which three? Even we don’t know yet, so consider it a delicious surprise.
Each tasting includes a warm cup of wassail, dessert, and a guided tour of the historic home led by hostesses in period attire. The soup tasting is $15 per person. If you’d simply like to see the house, guided tours alone are available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for $5 per person. Admission for both is payable at the door on the day of the event.
November 27
Living History Night at the Museum and Dorman House
Both the Museum and the Dorman House will be open on November 27th — the night after Thanksgiving and right after Clinton’s Christmas Parade. Best of all, admission is free!
The evening offers two distinct experiences. At the Dorman House, costumed guides will lead tours through the historic home, sharing what Christmas looked like for Judge Jerubial Gideon Dorman, his wife Udolpha, and their seven children. Adding to the festive atmosphere, Sam and Phyllis Lucas will be performing traditional Christmas carols throughout the evening.
Over in the Adair Welcome Center, our early 1900s village comes alive with period-costumed townsfolk ready to welcome you. Stop in and visit the pharmacist, doctor, banker, attorney, barber, shopkeeper, and leatherworker — each bringing a little slice of turn-of-the-century life to the holiday season.
Come experience Christmas as it was lived in Henry County more than a hundred years ago. We hope to see you there!
Events We’re Planning
Here’s what we’re working on. We hope to see you at every one!
Dec 12 - Christmas on the Square - Santa Claus at the Museum!
How a Town Built a Marvel of Corn, Then Sold It for Feed
Clinton Corn Palace
For most of a week in the fall of 1902, a gasoline engine sat on the Clinton courthouse lawn, powering a circular saw. It was loud, drew onlookers, and had a strange job. All week, the saw cut ears of corn in half, lengthwise, one after another, hour after hour. The Clinton Daily Democrat noted the engine and the saw almost in passing, the way you would note any workman's tool, as though sawing corn in two were an ordinary thing to do in the middle of town.
Introducing In-Depth Articles
We have created an Articles section on the Henry County Museum website for those interested in a deeper understanding of history.
Museum Collections
The Henry County Museum features thousands of county artifacts from the early 1800s to more recent times.
Our collection is displayed in creative venues, including an early 1900s village with a drug store, a doctor's office, a bank, a saddle shop, a general store, and more.
Genealogy Research
Our volunteer researchers go beyond what you find online.
We can help verify key details and uncover missing pieces of your family history. Our genealogy library offers expert guidance and historical insights to deepen your understanding of your ancestors' world.
Venue Rentals
Host your special event in a unique historic setting at our museum, ideal for small- to medium-sized gatherings.
Whether it's a wedding, corporate meeting, or birthday celebration, our charming venues create a memorable backdrop. Give your guests an experience they won’t forget.
A Word About Our Sponsors
Our sponsors play a vital role in our mission to preserve history and safeguard knowledge for future generations.
Their unwavering support empowers organizations like the Henry County Historical Society to bridge the gap between the past and the present. With gratitude, we extend our heartfelt thanks to these exceptional businesses and organizations!