Bingham-Waggoner Historical Society

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Independence, MO
Bingham-Waggoner Historical Society

Bingham-Waggoner Estate The Bingham-Waggoner Historical Society is organized for the preservation and interpretation of this site.
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Its focus is to increase the understanding of the history of the Queen City of the Trails, as well as, to be an economic asset to tourism industry, generating interest and dollars while at the same time preserving its special identity. A real treasure can be found in Independence, Missouri just a few blocks south of Independence Square. Standing on 19 acres of land crossed by the pioneers heading

down the Santa Fe Trail stands the Bingham-Waggoner home surrounded by its beautiful outbuildings of great architectural beauty. The house was built in 1852 with hand made bricks in the Italianate Villa style by John Lewis, a saddle maker who had a lucrative business near the town square furnishing the needs for pioneer travelers. A six-room brick house was only available for those more fortunate at that time and this one boasted a fireplace in every room and gas lighting. John Lewis lived in the house for six years. In 1864 the house was again on the market and was purchased by Missouri genre and portrait artist George Caleb Bingham who resided in the house for six years before moving into Kansas City to follow his other love, politics. Bingham built a studio on the front lawn of the Estate, now gone, where many of his paintings came to life including the most famous of his political creations "Martial Law", better known as "Order Number 11". "Order Number 11" was Bingham's statement against the Union Army of their very controversial method of freeing slaves in this area. Finally, in 1879 the house changed hands for the last time. A prominent miller from Pennsylvania heard that Independence was a fine place to live and rear a family. William Waggoner purchased the house and his flourmill across the street served the area for many years to come with a variety of flours, the most famous being "Queen of the Pantry". William and his wife Elizabeth decided to enlarge the house to better accommodate their growing family and improve their lifestyle as prominent residents. In 1895 to 1899 the house grew from 6 to 26 rooms and went up to three stories. The house was modernized with an intercom system of speaking tubes and electricity. In 1925 steam heat was added throughout the house, as well as craftsman style lights in the dining room. Also, at the time of remodeling, a carriage house, stable, chicken/farrowing house, double outhouse and a smokehouse were built on the west side of the Estate. These outbuildings are of great beauty topped with cupolas to follow through the design of the cupola on the main house. A cupola was the "attic fan" of the day, designed to draw hot air up and out of the buildings. Many beautiful walnuts, maples, evergreens and spring blooming trees enhance the grounds. On the south side, a pathway winds down to a creek, crosses a bridge and opens into a meadow. There, visible to this day, are swales formed by the wheels of the pioneer wagons as they were pulled up from the creek on their journey southwest. Beginning in our Carriage House Gift Shop, our professional Tour Guides will give you a tour through the Estate where history will come to life. You will find yourself immersed into life in the 1900's and live for a short time among the original furniture, paintings and decor of the Waggoner family home. This is a rare treasure of historic houses throughout the nation. For information about tours, special events and exhibits, rentals or luncheons, call 816-461-3491 or visit us online at www.bwestate.org.

02/03/2025

01/11/2025

TICKETS ARE NOW FOR SALE ON OUR BINGHAM-WAGGONER WEBSITE. https://www.bwestate.net/events
June 4, 2025
The Civil War & Fried Chicken

8:30am-5:00pm

A bus tour trip to LeCompton, Kansas for an interactive Civil War era reenactment of a town meeting. We will experience historic characters like John Brown, Jim Lane, Sherriff Jones, Charles & Sara Robinson, Clarinda Nichols, John Stringfellow, Mahala Doyle, Felix Caster and Colonel Henry Titus. Then there will be time to visit several museums on the property. Next, we will be served a homemade fried chicken dinner by the Ladies Organization of the Methodist Church. After that, you will have time to do a little shopping in LeCompton’s small downtown area. We will board the bus for a short trip to the Empty Nest Winery for a wine tasting. After that, we board the motor coach for the return trip to the Bingham. On the way we will serve either a chicken salad or veggie wrap, chips and bottled water. We should arrive back at the Bingham about 5 pm. This year the cost per person is $150.00. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Any questions please contact Madeline Engelbrecht at 816-509-2685.

A bus tour trip to LeCompton, Kansas for an interactive Civil War era reenactment of a town meeting. We will experience historic characters like John Brown, Jim Lane, Sherriff Jones, Charles & Sara Robinson, Clarinda Nichols, John Stringfellow, Mahala Doyle, Felix Caster and Colonel Henry Titus. The...

12/28/2024

The Waggoner-Gates Milling Company water tower will be dismantled in the next few weeks, because it's a danger to the public. It's rusting away, and it isn't safe to be near it anymore. They are asking people to stay away from the area around it now and through demolition. We will miss this iconic water tower, since it's right across the street from the Mansion. Yet another landmark that is going away, but we sure don't want anything to happen to anyone. Farewell to our Waggoner-Gates Milling Company water tower.

12/02/2024

https://fox4kc.com/video/independences-bingham-waggoner-estate-decorated-for-the-holidays/10260767/
Ben and Madeline showed off our decorated Bingham-Waggoner Mansion on Fox 4. The announcer states the house was built by George Caleb Bingham, but it was actually built by John Lewis, a saddle maker. There's a 30 second commercial before the segment.

On Sunday, the historic mansion was all dressed up for Christmas. FOX4 went inside the estate to see the beautiful decor and uncover a few secrets in the process.

11/30/2024

Make reservations for your group to have a catered meal in the Carriage House or come and shop for Christmas gifts in the Gift Shop . . . or both! Contact the Estate for more information about catered meals.

11/16/2024

Due to unforeseen circumstances, our Tom & Jerrys event has been cancelled for this year. Please look for this event in December 2025. If you have already purchased tickets through our website, you will be reimbursed. We look forward to seeing you next year at this event.

11/13/2024

Madeline Englebrecht is our 2024 Tour Guide of the Year! She leads the pack in earning the
most excellent tours given this year by our crew according to the Tripadvisor rating system of
reviews posted by our guests. With a total of 425 excellent and very good ratings by our
tourists, the Bingham is one of only 3 tourist sites in Independence to earn the Traveler's
Choice Award! We are, incidentally, rated as number one in the city!
Madeline's background includes 30 years as a public schoolteacher, and now 10 years as docent for us has given her an substantial headway in the "performance arts," skills she
displays each day she leads guests through our mansion. In addition, she is front and center in
producing and developing entertaining fundraising projects to help give us the revenue to
build on our fantastic presentation of the Bingham site! We are inordinately proud of her
contributions to our cause!
Steve Schreiber, Past President

10/24/2024

Address

313 W Pacific Avenue
Independence, MO
64050

Website

http://www.bwestate.net/

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Videos

Just another day at the Bingham Waggoner Mansion. Mostly 2 legged guests, but on occasion, a few 4 legged stroll by. Come visit us for a tour of the Mansion, led by the best tour guides in the Midwest.

A quick look at the roof replacement on the 1899 Stable. The first video shows the new metal roof (red) on the west side. The second video show the under layer on the east side that will soon be covered with the permanent metal layer. A much needed restoration. 😊

It really got you in the holiday mood here tonight. If you didn’t make it you need to add it to your must attend holiday traditions next year. Enjoy some music.

The music continues at the Bingham-Waggoner twilight tour tonight

Music room at the Bingham-Waggoner twilight tour

New organ at Bingham-Waggoner