The Marion Historic Association and Museum

06/20/2026

Headstones and History

Join us on Sunday, June 28th at 3:00 PM at the Soldiers Monument in Marion Cemetery for a guided walking tour of historic headstones, presented by Jen Hunter. With her deep appreciation for cemetery artistry, she will highlight the symbolism, craftsmanship, and stories carved into the stones, bringing their details and meaning to life.

06/18/2026

As we celebrate the Marion Class of 2026 today, we thought it would be fitting to share a look back at Marion's first higher education building.

Originally known as the Marion Collegiate Institute, the building later became the Marion Union Free School. According to the Marion Enterprise on July 8, 1904, the Marion Collegiate Institute formally transferred its building to the Marion Union Free School, marking an important milestone in the history of education in our community.

This historic building helped educate generations of Marion students and laid the foundation for the school system we know today.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! We wish you all the best as you begin the next chapter of your journey.

06/16/2026

District No. 6 Schoolhouse – Eddy Ridge & Boss Roads

This cobblestone one-room schoolhouse once served the children of Marion’s District No. 6 before later being remodeled into a private home. Teachers remembered from this school include Mabel Smith, Sylvia DeMay Liebert, and Maude Brewster.

A typical school day began at 9:00 a.m. with the ringing of a handbell. Students studied reading, writing, arithmetic, spelling, geography, and history while sharing one classroom with children of all ages. Water was carried from a nearby farm, and a coal stove kept the room warm during the winter months.

District No. 6 closed in 1923 when it merged with the Marion Union Free School District.

06/14/2026

Flag Day is observed each year on June 14th, honoring the adoption of the American flag and the ideals it represents. First established to recognize the flag’s history and symbolism, it serves as a reminder of the unity and perseverance of our nation.

In recognition of Flag Day and our community’s history, the flags currently displayed in front of the Marion Museum and the Marion Public Library feature only 24 stars. This design reflects an important piece of our bicentennial celebration in Marion.

In 1826, when our community was established as Marion, the United States flag would have carried 24 stars. In honor of those early citizens who helped shape and name our town, we proudly fly the 24-star flag today as a tribute to our shared past and local heritage.

A small detail with deep meaning, connecting Marion’s present to its beginnings.

06/11/2026

One of the 28 monument repairs completed in Hall Center Cemetery!

We are officially halfway to our goal of restoring the cemetery, and we couldn't do it without the dedication of our amazing volunteers. Their hard work is helping preserve an important piece of our community's history for future generations.

Thank you to everyone who has donated their time and talents to this project, we appreciate all you do!

06/11/2026

A glimpse of Union Street in the early 1900s! This historic photograph shows a time when the roads were still dirt and what appears to be a newly installed sidewalk lined the street. It’s fascinating to see how much our community has changed over the years while still retaining its small-town charm.

What do you recognize in this scene? We’d love to hear your thoughts and memories!

06/09/2026

It was a great day Saturday!

Marion fifth-graders display Native American research June 9, 2026 Fifth-graders from Marion ...

06/09/2026

Take a step back in time with this historic postcard showing the east side of Main Street in Marion. Visible in the image are the iconic Clark Block and the Methodist Church, landmarks that helped shape the heart of our community in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
The postcard is titled “East Side of Main Street, Marion, N.Y.” and was published by L.A. Shoales, offering a fascinating glimpse into what downtown Marion looked like more than a century ago.
It’s amazing to see how much has changed—and how much of Marion’s history continues to connect us to the past.
Do you recognize any details in this photo or have family stories connected to these buildings? We’d love to hear them in the comments!

06/07/2026

Fun little picture of a time long ago… this was on a postcard in our collection with a note on the back that reads: “To Aunt Edna from Marion. This is a little party of school girls I had this summer. Ralph sits beside of Marion.

1. Alice Knapp 2. Marcella Barber 3. Bernice Sweet 4. Ralph Burnett 5. Marion Burnett 6. Hazel Cordony 7. Lillian Weeks 8. Agnes Chrystler 9. Frederick Barber “