The History Of Henry County Historical Society
The Women’s Civic Club purchased the McLane mansion at the corner of 2nd and Ohio. After restoring the historic home to its Civil War-era appearance, they established the first library and museum in Clinton.
1939
The McLane mansion was engulfed in flames, which destroyed approximately 8,000 books and a range of irreplaceable historic artifacts. Following the sale of the property, the library was temporarily moved to two rooms on the third floor of the courthouse.
1944
Haysler A. Poague established the Henry County Historical Society. He became its president, while Mrs. Nina Long France was named its first vice president. Harold McGinness became the second vice president, and Mrs. John Britts Owen was appointed secretary-treasurer. Although there was initial interest, the society disbanded after only a few years.
1954
Around 200 individuals came together to establish the Henry County Historical Society as a chartered nonprofit organization. Judge Haysler A. Poague was elected as the president, as he was before. The members held monthly meetings in different locations within the town for the first three years.
1966
Just as in 1944, two rooms on the third floor of the Henry County courthouse were secured to display the museum’s collection of county artifacts.
1969
The former Anheuser-Busch building was acquired, and restoration began almost immediately. On July 4, 1976, the nation's bicentennial, the museum moved from the courthouse to its new location, the Henry County Museum and Cultural Arts Center.
1974-76
Mary Margaret Adair Nebel donated the building attached to the west side of the Anheuser-Busch building. After remodeling, the Adair Annex became the museum’s main entrance.
1988
A significant part of the Adair Annex has been converted into a village that resembles the early 1900s. It features a Doctor's office, Barber Shop, General Store, Bank, and Harness Shop, so visitors can experience what life was like during that era.
1988-89
The Anheuser-Busch building was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
1991
W.D. and Hazel Scott and the daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Ned Cowan donated lots across the street from the museum. One lot was turned into a parking lot for the museum. The other property was named The Homestead, which included a dog-trot log house, log smokehouse, well house, outhouse, log corncrib, and a log barn.
1993
Tracy DeLozier donated the Henry County Bank building in memory of his late wife, Juanita. After five years of restoration, the building became a multipurpose facility for wedding receptions, anniversary celebrations, and other corporate meetings and cultural events. It also houses a children’s theater.
1994
The Henry County Historical Society acquired the lot next to the dog-trot log house on the corner of Franklin & Water.
2002
Acquired the Dorman House on the corner of Franklin & Water, Clinton's first two-story brick home.
2008
Sarah Shoemaker Wilson donated the Highland one-room schoolhouse, which was relocated to its current location on the corner of Franklin & Water in Clinton.
2013
The WW&H Exchange building was acquired, and after remodeling, it was converted into additional museum space.
2016-19
There are major structural renovations taking place at the Dorman House.