It is housed in a building funded by the Works Progress Administration and dedicated on June 15, 1939.

[1] The museum exhibits include Kool-Aid, natural history dioramas, local history, weapons, life of pioneers on the Plains, rocks, minerals, fossils, antique vehicles, coins, and a planetarium.

[2] The museum is governed by a 7-member board, with each member serving a term of 5 years.

Founded in 1926 by Albert Brooking, it became home to his collection of Native American artifacts, fossils, and mounted birds.

[7] The Hastings Public Library and Adams County Historical Society are both at the museum.