 The museum's focus was Paducah resident Alben Barkley, who served as Vice President of the United States under Harry S. Truman; among its exhibits were Barkley's hat and vice-presidential desk, along with photographs of him meeting individuals such as the Pope.Although named the Alben W. Barkley Museum, its exhibits were not completely dedicated to the vice-president; a smaller section was devoted to Paducah native Linn Boyd, a four-year Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.Paducah annexed the Lower Town neighborhood in 1836.