The Layland is a medium-sized museum in a beautiful structure in the heart of downtown Cleburne. There is great local affection for the building as being the "old" library where many residents enjoyed time there. It's a grand legacy. Exhibits discuss everyday life and visitors relate well to photographs of children with pets, women in hats, and men posing with fishes. It is an easy museum to wander through. Though small in exhibit space the Layland hopes to present a significant cultural program experience. Greater public programming is the immediate goal. Concerts in the park and a major traveling exhibit from New York State Museum, "RECOVERY: The World Trade Center Recovery Operation," will occupy summer of 2004. Creation of a web site will provide communication between the Museum and schools, researchers, and other visitors. The long range goal is completion of the collections care facility with environmental improvement for stored items.

The Layland Museum is housed in the 1905 Cleburne Carnegie Library, now on the National Register of History Places. The Museum was established with the 1963 donation of some 500 items from the estate of William J. Layland, a local businessman. Books, firearms, and Native American materials predominated. Today the collection numbers some 10,000 objects and 65,000 photographic images contained within four historic structures. Exhibits are in the Carnegie building first floor, Santa Fe caboose, and 1870 Doty-Fullerton House. Collections are in the Smith History Center, an annex facility. The Museum second floor is a 130-seat performance theatre where 4-6 shows are presented each year. The Layland is a city-supported museum with an Advisory Board appointed by the City Council. A Friends organization supports enrichment programs.