Evansville Museum of Arts, History, & Sciences

One of SW Indiana’s most established and significant cultural institutions, the Evansville Museum is a general museum with comprehensive collections in art, history, anthropology and science, as well as an immersive theater and Transportation Center. In 2004, the Evansville Museum of Arts, History and Science celebrated its 100th anniversary of its collection.  It is interesting to recall the origins of the collection and of the institutions that have been charged with its care for the past 100 plus years. The origins of a museum in Evansville are traced to the Ladies’ Literary Club formed in 1874.  This club – whose members studied history, art and literature – was incorporated in 1884 and became a part of the State Federation in 1899.  It was this period that the Ladies’ Literary Club made a concerted effort to encourage the study of art in Evansville.  This came to fruition through a cooperative effort with the Art Committee at Willard Library and resulted in a highly successful exhibition in 1900. Held at Willard Library and promoted as a “curios loan” exhibition, this one-week exhibit featured over 400 objects including two-dimensional artwork, sculpture, religious relics, historic books and war paraphernalia.  Highlighted in the exhibition was the collection of Colonel and Mrs. Charles Denby.  Mr. Denby had served as United States Minister to China and his artifacts included tapestries, wood carvings, and porcelains.