Independence, MO, October 20, 2025
Leila’s Hair Museum
Leila’s Hair Museum, located in Independence, Missouri, was established in 1986 by Leila Cohoon, a passionate advocate for the preservation of hair art. With nearly 70 years of operation, the museum housed an extensive collection of over 3,000 pieces of hair art, including wreaths, necklaces, and watch bands woven from human hair, some purportedly belonging to historical figures like past presidents, Marilyn Monroe, and even religious icons such as Jesus. Leila Cohoon dedicated her life to showcasing this unique form of artistry, authoring a book and offering classes to inspire new artists. The museum gained recognition for its historical significance and its role in protecting and promoting the cultural craft of hair jewelry, often overlooked by larger exhibitions. Following Cohoon’s passing in November 2024 at the age of 92, the museum announced its permanent closure and initiated efforts to rehome its treasured collection by collaborating with multiple institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Museum of Women in the Arts.
News Summary
Leila’s Hair Museum in Independence, Missouri, is set to close permanently following the death of its founder, Leila Cohoon. Established in 1986, the museum showcased over 3,000 pieces of hair art, including unique items like jewelry made from human hair. Cohoon’s granddaughter, Evans, is now working to rehome the collection, with notable pieces earmarked for prestigious institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The museum’s closure represents a significant moment in the preservation of this unique art form and its cultural history.
Independence, Missouri – Leila’s Hair Museum is permanently closing its doors after nearly 70 years of operation, following the passing of its founder Leila Cohoon at the age of 92 in November 2024. This decision comes as the museum looks to rehome its unique collection, which features over 3,000 pieces of hair art, including wreaths, necklaces, and watch bands woven from the hair of the deceased.
Founded in 1986, Cohoon developed her passion for hair art in the mid-1950s and dedicated her life to preserving and promoting its cultural significance. Notable items in the museum’s collection include hair purportedly belonging to past presidents, Marilyn Monroe, and even Jesus. The craft of hair art, which peaked in popularity during the mid-1800s, served as a means for individuals to commemorate loved ones but saw diminished interest by the 1940s.
Cohoon was recognized as a trailblazer, saving countless pieces of hair art from being discarded. In addition to curating the museum, she authored a book on hair jewelry and offered classes to inspire new artists in the craft. The legacy of Leila’s Hair Museum not only highlights the creativity of hair art but also reflects the historical struggles encountered by women artists, as many such pieces were often overlooked by large exhibitions.
Evans, Cohoon’s granddaughter, continues to cherish the first piece of hair art found by her grandmother, which served as the foundation for the museum’s expansive collection. The museum has welcomed many celebrities over the years, including Ozzy Osbourne, who visited and is rumored to have left strands of his hair behind.
As part of the rehoming process, Evans is collaborating with over 40 museums to donate pieces from the collection, with an estimated 300 pieces already earmarked for donation. These artifacts are being considered for prestigious institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C. Among the historically significant items are a wreath made from the hair of every woman in the League of Women Voters in 1865 and a pin containing locks from a 7-year-old girl who died in 1811.
The closing of Leila’s Hair Museum marks a significant moment in cultural history. The rehoming of its collection is a bittersweet endeavor for Evans, who aims to continue showcasing her grandmother’s legacy while grappling with the emotional toll of the museum’s closure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Leila’s Hair Museum is a unique museum located in Independence, Missouri, known for its extensive collection of hair art.
The museum is closing permanently following the passing of its founder, Leila Cohoon, at the age of 92 in November 2024.
The museum’s collection includes over 3,000 pieces of hair art, such as wreaths made from human hair, necklaces, and watch bands woven from the locks of the deceased.
Notable pieces include hair purported to come from past presidents, Marilyn Monroe, and even Jesus.
The collection is being rehomed, with about 300 pieces already marked for donation to prominent institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Museum of Women in the Arts.
Hair art peaked in popularity in the mid-1800s as a means of commemorating loved ones but fell out of favor by the 1940s.
Key Features of Leila’s Hair Museum
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Independence, Missouri |
| Years of Operation | Nearly 70 years |
| Founded By | Leila Cohoon |
| Collection Size | Over 3,000 pieces |
| Notable Visitors | Ozzy Osbourne and others |
| Significant Institutions for Donation | Metropolitan Museum of Art and National Museum of Women in the Arts |
| Historical Articles | Wreath from the League of Women Voters, pin from a deceased 7-year-old girl |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Leila’s Hair Museum Closes After Nearly 70 Years
Additional Resources
- Fox4KC
- AP News
- KMBC
- KCTV5
- Kansas City Star
- Wikipedia: Hair Art
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hair Art
- Google Search: Leila’s Hair Museum
- Google News: Leila’s Hair Museum closing
- Google Scholar: Hair Art
Author: STAFF HERE KANSAS CITY WRITER
The KANSAS CITY STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKansasCity.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Kansas City, Jackson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as American Royal World Series of Barbecue, Dia De Los Muertos, and Planet Anime Kansas City. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Kansas City, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Children's Mercy Hospital, Government Employees Health Association, and AMC Entertainment. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREStLouis.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Missouri's dynamic landscape.
