City of Marion Historical Museum

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City of Marion Historical Museum

In the 1880s the Baptist Tabernacle Church was built and remained an active church until 1956 when the church was deeded over to be a museum.

The museum is open May through October and by appointment during the off-seasons. City of Marion Historical Museum
Policy for donations of objects

The purpose of this organization is:
1. To preserve the natural and human history of Marion County and the surrounding area.
2. To conserve the collections in the Marion Historical Museum.
3. To interpret the story of the people who have lived here thr

ough the collections, through research and educational programs.
4. To involve the community in the understanding of and the appreciation of its heritage. Acquisition guidelines
Thank you for considering a donation to the museum. Please review the following guidelines for museum acquisitions:
1. The item(s) must be consistent with and relevant to the state purpose of the museum.
2. Primary consideration will be given to the museum’s ability to provide proper care and storage for any object. No item(s) will be considered for acquisition if future care and preservation needs exceed the museum’s resources. Donations that that include financial support for long-term storage and preservation are encouraged.
3. Items must have a clear title and be free of copyright restrictions.
4. Donors must provide verifiable record of authenticity and provenance for all proposed donations.
5. A 30-day examination period may be requested for any proposed acquisition.
6. All acquisitions are to outright and unconditional. The museum cannot guarantee that objects donated will be placed on exhibition or that they will be displayed or stored in a single collection. The Marion Historical Museum encourages donations but artifacts must follow the acquisition guidelines. Each artifact must show how it is relevant to Marion County history. The Marion Historical Museum holds the right to deny or donate any acquisitions that do not follow the acquisition guidelines.

09/04/2026

Sat., Sept. 5th
With the author talk at the library, the museum won't open until 11:30am-ish.
Come join us!

09/03/2026

Convinced that coal lay beneath his property on north 3rd St., Walter Sharp began to bore into the ground in the spring of 1884. After three months of drilling, the machine gave out at 175 feet.

Failing in his effort to find coal, Mr. Sharp found himself the owner of a $1000 hole in the ground, which he had paid for with his house and life savings.

Undaunted, he examined every particle of earth in the hole, even the water, which he found had a peculiar taste and odor. He sent it off to some chemists who discovered it contained valuable medicinal qualities.

Determined to make something of it, Mr. Sharp peddled his water around town and the healing properties of his mineral water spread. He built a limestone sanitarium that had 5 bathing rooms for men and 3 for women. A fountain and paths through a beautiful park adjoining the well added to its appeal.

He advertised heavily, going so far as to order 10,000 copies of a new paper, the Mineral Springs Advocate, which exceeded even the circulation of The RECORD at that time.

As Walter Sharp built a reputation as a quality builder of bridges and buildings, he would lease the property out to various doctors, eventually selling it only to buy it back a couple years later.

He would build the Masonic Lodge on 3rd and Main, other buildings and houses in Marion, and many stone arch bridges and buildings in surrounding counties.

Yet, between The Marion Mineral Well (1885-1902) and Chingawassa Springs (1889-1993), the mineral springs resort boom that Marion waited for with bated breath never materialized.

Walter Sharp sold his mineral well property for the final time in the late spring of 1902 to W.H. Carpenter, who tore down the sanitarium to build a house that still stands today at the head of 3rd Street.

09/02/2026

What is this quote from The Record in March of 1888 referring to?

"The RECORD grows more and more confident that this mineral water is to make Marion famous as a sanitarium, and widely noted as a health resort. This conviction is strengthened by the fact alluded to elsewhere, that the natural charms of Marion, its numerous parks, the variety and picturesqueness of its scenery, it pure water, its balmy, healthy atmosphere, all combine to add additional reasons for the faith that is in us.”

Comment below with your answer!

08/24/2026

Mark your calendars! Chingawasa Springs Mineral Resort is a fairly well-known bit of Marion history, but did you know there was also The Marion Mineral Well, a health resort in the city limits of Marion.

08/15/2026

Today is National Relaxation Day!

Take a pause, sip some coffee on your front porch, or go for a drive around the Marion County Lake and take in the beauty of our surroundings.

This little guy sure looks excited about the news. If you recognize the little boy in the picture, please share in the comments below. This was pulled from Les Broadstreet, Master Photographer's unknown file.

08/14/2026

July 17, 1994, was a fun day for these ladies who gathered at the museum for Hats on Parade. So many wonderful women and look at those razzle dazzle hats!

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08/12/2026

Hello,

Today we are sharing a photo of the old bridge on north Cedar. I'm sure there are some stories out there of days gone by, hanging out here, or riding your bike over this bridge?

If so, please share in the comments below.

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08/08/2026

Good morning,

Looking through the old train photos, this one is titled "Railroad #10."

Notice all the cargo they are pulling? These old engines were beauties.

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08/07/2026

Before the new auditorium was built, there was an empty lot next to the Marion Middle School gymnasium where my cousins, friends and I would play football during the summer and winter months. My Uncle taught me how to ride my bike here too.

Boy how things have changed looking at this photo.

Do you have memories from childhood growing up around here? Please share in the comments below.

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Address

623 East Main
Marion, KS
66861

Telephone

(620) 382-9134

Website

http://marionksmuseum.org/

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