The Monroe County Museum was founded in 1984 by the Monroe County Historical Society. It is located in the "Electric Car Barn" which was used for maintenance of the electric cars for the Albia Interurban Electric Railway. The line, established in 1907, connected the coal-mining communities of Hiteman and Hocking with two depots in Albia. This gave miners an opportunity to trade in Albia. The cars, owned and operated by the Albia Light and Railway Company, transported shoppers and miners until 1928. At that time the building was used for storage and then, in the mid-1970's, the building was converted for use by the Albia High School for shop classes.

The Monroe County Historical Society and Museum is dedicated to preserving the history of Monroe County, Iowa by continuing to update and maintain the building, soliciting the community for monetary and historical donations, and actively participating in community education.