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The Dorothea B. Hoover Historical Collection
Listed below are a few of the items that you can see
when you visit the museum.
Temporary Exhibit on loan from the Browns
Wow! Vintage pedal cars, tricycles, scooters, and planes on temporary loan from the Browns. We are so grateful for allowing us to show off these cool collectibles circa 1919 to 1941. Hurry in or you will miss these gorgeous toys from a bygone era.
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Historic Route 66 Gallery
If you traveled the Mother Road, Route 66, going from Chicago to California, you drove through the heart of Joplin, Missouri! Perhaps you stayed at a hotel, bought gas for the car, or had a delicious meal. Come get a glimpse of what it was like "in the day" when Route 66 allowed people to "See the USA in their Chevrolet!" An entire hallway filled with Route 66 artifacts with a gas station at the end!
View videos about Route 66 and some of the local treasures in the video room.
Bonnie and Clyde
Find your inner gangster or lawman as you view items left behind by Bonnie and Clyde during their infamous stay in Joplin. Not surprisingly, it wasn't a peaceful visit. Learn the history of the valiant lawmen who lost their lives. Mr. McGinnis, Mr. Harryman, and all the officers showed courage, sacrifice, and service to our city when the gangsters invaded Joplin. See a gun like the one used by these gangsters.
View videos about Bonnie and Clyde and the lawmen in Joplin who tried to stop them in the video room.
EF-5 2011 Tornado
The 2011 EF5 Tornado changed Joplin forever. While we mourn the 161 people killed, we honor the community who came together and lifted the city up from the mile-wide path of destruction.
Learn the science of the storm, see pictures of damage and of hope. Learn the story of the photographers. One hallway is filled with artifacts and photos. View a movie about the tornado in the video room.
Gibson Girl Plates
These plates tell the story of a Gibson Girl who is widowed and defies the culture of the day.
Junge Baking Company
Remember the smell of fresh bread baking? In 1915 the delicious smell permeated Joplin, making many mouths water. Tip-Top Bread was delivered by a
30-horse fleet of wagons to grocery stores before investing in more modern transportation.
Joplin Fire Department
If you were living in Joplin in 1872, you may have been part of the "Bucket Brigade" which required all businesses on Broadway to keep a full barrel of water and buckets ready for use. It did not take long to see Joplin needed more than buckets. See a French fire truck, the fireman's pole, a net, and special knots used by fireman. Learn how one fireman was killed in a very unusual accident.
The Parlor
See a Victorian parlor, a special piano - one of only 4 left in the world, a tester bed and more!
The Spook Light, Percy Wenrich, and Senator John Kennedy
Learn where you can see the Spook Light and what it could possibly be. Find out about a famous composer whose songs you might have heard, but your grandma certainly did! Did you know Senator Kennedy came to Joplin to stump for votes in 1962? See the podium and the hat as well as read about his speech.
John Cox - One of Joplin's Founding Fathers
See a piano brought in by wagon, his rocking chair and the desk from his post office. Learn about the man and how he helped to found Joplin.
Joplin Uplift - The History of Joplin's Black Society
From famous Joplinites like Langston Hughes and Charles McPherson to the Tutt Family, this exhibit brings to life the business, social, educational, and cultural aspects of the Black community in Joplin. A video explains the perseverance of those who experienced Joplin in a time of segregation and discrimination, yet overcame prejudice to build businesses and community.
Fourth and Main
House of Lords
Enjoy a hand of poker, a beautiful woman, or a great alcoholic drink? Check out the House of Lords exhibit to get a taste of how the “gentlemen” of early Joplin spent their free time in one of Joplin’s most notorious houses of ill repute.
See the original cash register, desk, and roulette wheel, as well as a door, shot glasses and more!
Connor Hotel
The Connor Hotel was unique for its time. Come see what it looked like, inside and out. Be amazed at the services and the prices!
Also in this area are the Keystone Hotel and the Joplin National Bank.
Megee's Drugs
Teenagers in the 1950s loved this soda shop. See pictures of them packed in sharing drinks and conversation. Did you know Joplin had multiple bottling companies? See some of the famous soft drinks that were bottled here. Vintage signs and containers as well as an electric cigar lighter make this area memorable.
Assay Office
Joplin was built on its mineral wealth. The assay office was critical in allowing miner's to know where to dig as well as determining the amount of mineral in the ore.
Note the Platt map, scales, the blueprint machine, and a very special desk.
The Wooten Desk is filled with places to keep a business organized.
Video Room
The new Video Room has 5 television showing films ranging from 2 minutes to over an hour. Four stations have headphones for 2 listeners, while one plays for a group.
Topics include Mules in Mining, the Joplin Tornado, Dorothea B. Hoover, the Jasper County Courthouse, Frisco Railroad, Johnny Copeland, Charles McPherson, St. John's Hospital Early Years, Lonnie Chapman, the Battle of Newtonia, Thomas Hart Benton, Charles Banks Wilson, Bonnie & Clyde Lawmen, Route 66, and so much more!