Exhibits
Main Floor
Marshall Gallery’s exhibits change annually, focusing on a county-wide theme. Window displays are also rotated on a regular basis, offering new exhibits for visitors and residents to enjoy. In 2026, our main exhibit is “Marshall County Public High Schools: Growth to Consolidation.”
From the late 1800s to 1950, public high schools surged from 3,000 to 20,000, thanks to the grassroots “high school movement.” Before this, education typically ended at 8th grade. Largely driven by local demand and investment, graduating from high school became a social norm in less than a generation.
By the early 1900s, state inspectors influenced school programs and building conditions. A statewide consolidation effort from 1930 to 1970 closed 90% of small schools to pool resources for better facilities. However, this often diminished local identity and pride, with a second wave of consolidations driven by financial motives in the 1950s and ‘60s.
Join us as we explore the impact of these trends on our Marshall County 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