Words by Gracie Piper<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Elementary school field trips are a rite of passage, but your local history museum doesn\u2019t hold a candle to these seven lesser-known gems scattered across the Midwest. From exhibits displaying Oprah\u2019s favorite mustard to a collection of floral designs made entirely of human hair, these museums highlight everything that\u2019s great about the Midwest: our creativity, ingenuity and questionable hair choices.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Harry S. Truman Presidential Library may be the knee-jerk response when thinking about museums in Independence, Missouri. But retired hairdresser Leila Cohoon brings something else to mind. Cohoon created a museum to display works of art made from her favorite medium: human hair. Leila\u2019s Hair Museum is\u2014thankfully\u2014the only museum to feature artwork made of hair in the entire world.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI started the museum when I had too many [boxes of hair art] under the bed and in the closet, and I couldn\u2019t hide them from my husband anymore,\u201d Cohoon said. \u201cI opened up a museum to show them to the public.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The museum displays her growing collection of more than 2,750 pieces of intricate art, from Victorian hair wreaths to jewelry made of woven strands. Don\u2019t miss the thrilling locks of Michael Jackson\u2019s hair as you comb over exhibits in this Midwestern treasure. <\/span><\/p>\n 1333 S. Noland Rd.<\/span><\/em> <\/p>\n\n
\nIndependence, MO 64055<\/em>
\n(816) 833-2955<\/em><\/p>\n