Exhibits

Main Floor

Marshall Gallery exhibits change annually, and often focus on one county-wide theme. Windows displays are also rotated on a regular basis, offering new exhibits for visitors and residents to enjoy. In the recent past, we featured “Marshall County at the Movies,“ delving into our connections to Hollywood, home-grown movie stars and local theaters.

Until November 2024, our “Marshall County on Fire” exhibit shares the history of each of our communities’ fire departments, along with details of some of the major fires in Marshall County from its beginnings until about 1940.

These fires substantially changed our downtown areas and hastened improved building codes and safety standards, and serve to illustrate the bravery of our citizens and the resilience of our early communities.

 

 

Historic Crossroads Center

In 2023, we opened our newly re-imagined Historic Crossroads Center, one of our most popular permanent exhibits. Created with the help of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center and descendants of some local migrant worker families, the exhibit tells the story of Marshall County from before the arrival of European and American settlers up to the present day.

A series of stations within the room detail how Marshall County evolved from a timber rich settlement into the original Crossroads of America, with the building of some of the first transcontinental highways.

Sports Room

Another popular permanent exhibit is our County of Champions Sports Room, which connects visitors to local athletes. Artifacts from local teams, past and present, represent all county high schools. From school fight songs to uniforms and interviews recorded with legendary coaches and athletes, the shared history of our sports comes alive.

 

 

 

Train Room

Since 2011, our fully-interactive model Train Room has delighted Museum visitors of all ages. From concept to completion, this exhibit is a labor of love. Volunteers designed and built the elaborate layout, filling the entire room with a spectacular diorama. The history of the local railroads is shared in cases and on the walls around the perimeter.

Volunteers continue to maintain and operate the trains every Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., as well as for special events throughout the year. Follow us on social media for news on upcoming events!

Permanent Exhibits

The second floor of our landmark 1910 Lauer Building was originally designed as office space. Doctors, lawyers and even the Heinz pickle agent were among the early occupants. Now each of these rooms has a dedicated theme drawn from our shared history. Plan to visit and allow time to see them all!

  • Edwardian Parlor
  • Communications
  • Agriculture
  • Entertainment
  • Toys
  • Bands
  • Livery Stable
  • Boy Scouts
  • At Home ca 1900
  • Doctor’s Office
  • Military
  • Dairy
  • One Room Schoolhouse
  • Victorian Bedroom
  • General Store
  • Photography ~ Coming Soon!