Our Story

Proud member of the Missouri Arts Council,
The Margaret Harwell Art Museum in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, owes its existence to the generosity of its namesake and benefactor, the late Margaret Harwell.

An amateur artist, businesswoman and civic leader,

Mrs. Harwell left a part of her estate to the

City of Poplar Bluff to establish a center for art classes and exhibits. An Arts and Museum Advisory Board was formed to take on the task, and in 1980, the city purchased the Moore-Dalton House, rich in local history and listed on the National Register of Historic Places,

to house the museum.

The Margaret Harwell Art Museum opened to the public in November 1981.