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.

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

09/24/2024

09/15/2024

09/12/2024

Fresh from the Independence Examiner…

09/11/2024

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.

09/05/2024

https://www.kctv5.com/video/2024/09/03/kctv5-cares-independence-uncorked-wine-festival/

Wine Fest Event Co-Chair Stephanie Smith and VP Development of CAPA Amanda Jackson join Shane to share the initiative behind CAPA and the Independence Uncorked Wine Festival. Don’t miss the one-of-a-kind Wine Festival on September 14th at the Historic Bingham-Waggoner Estate! With over 2,000 atten...

09/05/2024

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. 😊

08/31/2024

🍷🎉 Get ready for a *deliciously local* experience at Independence Uncorked! Join us in the class tent for classes at 2 and 3 PM, where Hy-Vee will be pairing the best Missouri wines with mouthwatering cheeses—all made right here in Missouri. 🧀🍇

You won’t want to miss out on this tasty adventure! Plus, all the goodies served will be available for purchase at Hy-Vee, so you can keep the fun going at home. Mark your calendars, bring your friends, and let’s raise a glass to local flavors! 🥂

10/01/2023

SAVE THE DATE! The 35th Annual Antique and Craft Fair will be July 13, 2024 from 9-3. Stroll through over 100 vendor booths full of everything from handmade soaps and jewelry to an assortment of wonderful antiques. Try a burger or walking taco from the Chuck Wagon Café and listen to music provided by the Independence Spirit Band and a Jazz band from the Independence Music and Arts Institute. Admission and parking are free.

07/26/2023

The Bingham-Waggoner, Vaile Mansion and Pioneer Trails Adventures with lunch that was scheduled for this Saturday, July 29th, has been cancelled due to the heat. It is being rescheduled for April of 2024.

07/08/2023

What a wonderful day at the 34th Antique & Craft Fair today! Who would imagine there would be people wearing jackets in July?! It was so good to see all of you! Thank you for making this event a huge success!

06/29/2023

A week from Saturday on July 8, is the Antique & Craft Fair! Admission is free! We hope to see you there!

06/19/2023

From right here in the KC metro, from the West Bottoms, welcome Fountain City Winery to Independence Uncorked-10 Years-the grape still stops here. They are one of the newer Missouri wineries so be sure to get to know them.

Address

313 W Pacific Avenue
Independence, MO
64050

Website

http://www.bwestate.net/

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Videos

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.