INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (AP) — Leila’s Hair Museum, a unique collection in the Kansas City suburb of Independence, once displayed century-old wreaths, necklaces, and watch bands crafted from human hair—including strands linked to figures like Marilyn Monroe, U.S. presidents, and even Jesus. For three decades, visitors ranging from curious tourists to celebrities like Ozzy Osbourne marveled at its artifacts.
However, after the museum’s founder, 92-year-old Leila Cohoon, passed away in November, her granddaughter Lindsay Evans began relocating the vast collection of over 3,000 pieces to institutions nationwide, including New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art and Washington, D.C.’s National Museum of Women in the Arts. During a recent tour with representatives from Houston’s National Museum of Funeral History, Evans reflected, “Every time I come here, I feel her here. Rehoming her collection has helped me grieve in a way I didn’t realize I needed.”
Cohoon, a hairstylist, started the collection in 1956 when she stumbled upon a gold-framed hair flower arrangement in an antique store. It sparked a lifelong passion, leading her to rescue discarded hair art—often dismissed by dealers in favor of ornate frames. Hair art peaked in the mid-1800s as Victorian-era women wove mementos from deceased loved ones. By the 1940s, the tradition waned as photography became dominant, and the craft—largely created by women—was overlooked by major museums.
Cohoon preserved these forgotten works, teaching classes and authoring a book to revive the art form. Her collection expanded with pieces like a wreath containing hair from every 1865 Vermont League of Women Voters member and jewelry memorializing a 7-year-old girl who died in 1811. Celebrities like Phyllis Diller donated family heirlooms, while Mike Rowe featured the museum on his show.
Evans, now navigating the emotional task of distributing her grandmother’s legacy, estimates the collection’s value at over $1 million. “I want people to see all of this because that’s what she wanted,” Evans said. “But when this space is empty, it’ll break my heart a little bit.”