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Marshall County Historical Museum
202 East Church Street, Marshalltown, IowaFree Admission (donations gladly accepted).
Our museum displays some of the significant items of the collections of the Historical Society of Marshall County. Some of our featured displays include Geology and Archeology, Business and Industry, Domestic Life, Early American Glass Club Collection, Community Life, "The General Store", The Rural Frontier, Medicine, Dentistry, and Nursing, The Frontier Town, Sports and Entertainment, Military History, and Government. We also have a Historical Reference Library for use by members and visitors. A Gift Shop is available for unique gift ideas!
About the Museum Exhibits
Geology and Archeology The history of Marshall County began long before European settlers arrived. The museum has extensive collections of geological, paleontological, and archaeological specimens, including fossil crinoids excavated at the Le Grand Quarry, which are among the best preserved specimens of their kind in the world. The Historical Society owns an extensive collection of Native American artifacts, some of which are on display.
Business and Industry Visitors to the museum will see that Marshalltown and Marshall County has had its share of industry & inventors. >From the very start Marshalltown, at the hub of a network of railroads criss-crossing the county, was a center of industry for the products of Marshall County and beyond. Permanent exhibits feature such notable locals as David Lennox, a man who started as a simple machinist and went on to found several local industries such as the Lennox Furnace Company (now Lennox Industries) and the Marshalltown Trowel Company (now the Marshalltown Company).
"The General Store" Step back to 1900 in a room filled with the variety of items that one could find at a general store. Featured are some items, such as "Jack Sprat" brand foods, that were produced right here in Marshall County.
Early American Glass Club Collection The Early American Glass Club of Marshalltown displays a large portion of their collection in our museum. A large portion of this extensive pressed glass collection is the States Glass Collection, which includes glass patterns named for various states.
The Rural Frontier and The Frontier Town rooms display artifacts from the early days of Marshall County including farm tools, household goods, and clothing from the 1850s to 1900.
Medicine, Dentistry, and Nursing Recently, this two-room exhibit was improved, and tells the story of the nurses' college in Marshalltown, as well as doctor's and dentist's work, and a new pharmacy exhibit.
Sports and Entertainment Marshall County had its share of non-business celebrities as well. Perhaps our most famous former resident was movie star Jean Seberg ("Saint Joan," "Paint Your Wagon," and more), but baseball fans may know of "Cap" Anson, magician history buffs may have heard about T. Nelson Downs (the c. 1900 "King of Coins"). Another famous native was Dale Paul (stage name) who portrayed the Phillip Morris page boy on early commercials, as well as a theatrical performer and movie star.
Military History Many eras of military history are displayed, from the Civil War through modern wars. A recent addition to the room is the exhibit "Shiloh: Iowa's Bloodiest Battle" concerning the well known Civil War battle fought in west Tennessee and concerned in particular with the vital role of Iowa troops in winning it.
About the Museum Building
The Historical Society of Marshall County collection is largely housed in a building that was originally built for Dr. George Glick and his family in 1870. Until moving to the new, larger house, the Glick family lived in what is now the Glick-Sower House, another HSMC historic site.
About 1900 the Glick family sold the property and it became a hotel under the names Dodge House Hotel and the Wilson Hotel. The HSMC purchased the building in the mid-1980's and made it the new museum and main office.
Special tours can be arranged for tour busses and school groups. Contact our office to schedule your tour or for more information: (641) 752-6664.
Our site is wheelchair-accessible, with a chair lift to the second floor.
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