Welcome to the Harlin Museum

The Harlin Museum is dedicated to preserving our Ozarks’ rich cultural heritage while also supporting the patronage of our innovative regional art scene and it’s rich history.

We house items of cultural and historical interest significant to the area known as the Ozarks, which is located in the topographical region of the North American United States known as the Ozark Plateau. We also host a variety of competitive art shows, special historical exhibits, artisan workshops, and community events throughout the calendar year.

The Harlin Museum is located in West Plains, Missouri, the county seat of a mid-size, midwestern town in the center of southern MO known for its small-town charm, Historic Courthouse Square district, the nearby Ozark National Scenic Riverways, and the Mark Twain National Forest park system. 

The museum’s collection includes:

  • the Lennis L. Broadfoot collection; the most complete collection of art by the accomplished Shannon County, MO artist. Broadfoot is best known as the artist who immortalized the often enigmatic people, places, and traditions of the turn-of-the-century Ozarks region, in multiple mediums, while also offering a first-hand narrative in the writings that frequently accompanied his works.
  • artifacts of the area’s early settlers including a buckboard wagon w/ original harnesses and saddles sold at Aid’s Hardware on West Plains’ Historic Downtown Square, 
  • items significant to the area’s original Native American tribes 
  • military artifacts from WWI & the American Civil War; art depicting local skirmishes & photographs of local militia units
  • objects that survived the mysterious & tragic West Plains Dance Hall Explosion of 1928 and original newspaper coverage of the event
  • displays honoring area celebrities such as Missouri Sports Hall of Fame baseball player Preacher Roe, Country Music Hall of Fame’s singer/songwriter Porter Wagoner, and Grand Ole Opry star Jan Howard

Antique Phonograph, Hand-Woven Hand-Dyed Textiles, & the Broadfoot Collection on display for the annual Ozark Heritage exhibit.

A painting by Lennis Broadfoot depicting the Pioneer Ozarks of his time.

A Lost Arts: Basket-Weaving workshop in the Harlin’s lower-level classroom area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Take a look at our MUSEUM NEWS page for the most recent goings-on at the museum, including announcements about upcoming art shows, regional history exhibits, show competitions, and instructional workshops.

Stop by the museum to browse items in our museum gift shop that include unique art, books (including copies of L.L. Broadfoot’s Pioneers of the Ozarks), jewelry, & stationary gifts or souvenirs. The gift shop area is located on the main level of the Hathcock Gallery.

And, remember, we also sell art! Competition show pieces listed for sale benefit both the artist and the museum, which keeps a small percentage of artists’ sales for museum maintenance and operation. The museum is a non-profit entity supported entirely by public donations and the sale of artist wares. If you would like to donate to the museum, please contact the docent desk at (417) 256-7801 or email us at [email protected].

Group tours are welcome; please contact the museum for more info.

The Boys & Girls Club of West Plains volunteers to help move an authentic johnboat during setup for the Welcome To The Wilderness exhibit at the museum.

 

The Hathcock Gallery addition was named after longtime museum board member & president, Roy Hathcock.

You can find the museum just off the historic downtown square on Worcester Ave., one of West Plains’ oldest streets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upcoming 2026 Harlin Museum Event Calendar

 

January 15th – February 14th:

Patriotic & Antique Quilt Show (Entry Dates: January 8-11)

 

February 19rd – March 21th:

Annual Photography Show (Entry Dates: February 5-7, 12-14)

Gala Night February 20, 6-8 pm;  Awards Program March 21, 2-4 pm

 

March 26th – April 25th:

Annual Spring Art Show: Patriotic Theme (Entry Dates: March 19-22)

A Patriotic Themed Art Show in honor of our Country’s 250th Birthday

Gala Night: March 27, 6-8pm;    Awards Program, April 25, 2-4pm

 

April 1  – April 8: Closed for Easter Holiday

 

April 30  – May 30 Harlin Museum’s Permanent Collection Exhibit  Featuring a never before exhibited Burkhart

Gala Night, May 1

 

June 4th – July 11th: 

Beyond the Canvas “Art That Pops” 3D Art Show Competition (Entries Taken May 28-31)

Gala Night, June 5, 6-8; Awards Ceremony July 11, 2-4

 

July 2-July 8 CLOSED for INDEPENDENCE DAY HOLIDAY

 

July 16-Aug 29

PRIVATE EXHIBITION TBD

 

September 3rd – September 26th: 

Our 51st Annual (Juried) Fall Art Show (Entry Dates: August 26-30)

Gala Night, September 11, 6-8pm; Awards Program, September 26, 2-4pm

 

October 1-October 22nd

Our Ozark Heritage Show Featuring the works of L.L. Broadfoot

 

CLOSED NOVEMBER 23-DECEMBER 2 for THANKSGIVING Holiday and to set up Train Exhibit

 

December 3st – December 31st:

West Plains Model Railroad Club Holiday Train Display

For a more in-depth list of our upcoming events please visit our EVENT CALENDAR page.

#DiscoverYourOzarks #HarlinMuseum

You can also follow our Facebook Page for up-to-date museum info and art news at https://www.facebook.com/HarlinMuseumWP/