Marshall County Museum Historic Crossroads Center

06/01/2026

In 1901, the Eastman Company came out with the Kodak Brownie Camera which sold for $1! The Brownie came preloaded with film thanks to the invention of flexible celluloid film in the 1880s.

Once you had used all the film, you sent the camera back to the company who developed, printed, and reloaded your camera for you. This process cost more than buying the camera but it made so almost anybody could take photographs!

The camera was marketed to especially to women and children. Until this invention, most photographs were formal portraits. The Brownie Camera led to more laid back, candid images of people having fun.

05/29/2026

Only TWO WEEKS until the next Brown Bag Lunch & Lecture on June 12!

Judge Matthew Sarber will present an engaging discussion on the Constitution, exploring its founding principles, the influence of the Federalist Papers, and the framework that shaped our government. Judge Sarber will also connect these principles to today's world, leading a thought-provoking discussion and Q&A on current events.

05/29/2026

Our 850 sq ft model train room will be running Saturday from 11-1. We've enjoyed seeing so many new and old faces! Come by for train fun at no cost and learn about Marshall County while you're here!

05/28/2026

About 100 years ago, J. Nilas Wolf of Bourbon fell off a car and his life came to a tragic end. Read the story from the Bourbon News Mirror in our new blog post.

100 years ago, J. Nilas Wolf of Bremen fell off a car and his life came to a tragic end. Read the story from the Bremen News Mirror.

05/27/2026

Win a 2-month individual membership to Fitness Forum Sports & Wellness at our silent auction!

Purchase a ticket to our Casino Night: Boots & Bowties Fundraiser on June 19 at 5:30 today! Your $50 ticket includes $25 in playing chips, dinner, dessert, and plenty of entertainment. Know that your purchase goes towards a good cause! All proceeds benefit our programming and technology.

Thank you to Fitness Forum Sports & Wellness for your donation to our silent auction!

05/27/2026

In May of 1976, the country was filled with excitement for the Bicentennial, celebrating 200 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This year, 2026, is the Semiquincentennial for 250 years!

These pictures are from various celebrations in Marshall County during the month of May. Do you remember celebrating the Bicentennial?

05/26/2026

Our newest article is about the first resident in Bourbon to own an automobile. He was only 17 years old!

The dawn of the automobile age in Marshall County featured a primitive road system, diverse car models with no safety features, and no driver training or licensing. Curiosity about these early contraptions flourished, even as they lagged behind wagons and buggies.

Read more below.

Learning to Drive the Hard Way by Thais Carrillo | May 20, 2026 | Bremen, Visitor Stories & Oral Histories | 0 comments William Erwin, Jr. and his brother Lewis in Will’s automobile. Edited by Sue Irwin The dawn of the automobile age in Marshall County saw an incomplete and primitive road system, ...

05/26/2026

Thank you to our incredible anonymous donor for our Casino Night: Boots & Bowties Fundraiser! Your kindness makes a difference and fuels our mission at the Museum. We appreciate you!

Join us for a night of blackjack and poker, delicious desserts, a catered meal, and plenty of live entertainment. We still have silent auction donations coming in--stay tuned to see what will be available! We have some phenomenal gifts this year. Please reach out if you are interested in sponsoring or donating to our silent auction.

To purchase tickets, call us, buy in-person or online at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/casino-night-boots-and-bowties

05/25/2026

Memorial Day offers a moment to honor and mourn U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the Armed Forces. Observed on the last Monday in May, it is a day of remembrance for the ultimate sacrifices made for the country.

Our Military Quarters display has information on various Marshall County residents who served in the Armed Forces. We are closed for Memorial but we invite you to visit soon and pay tribute to our neighbors, family, and friends who gave their lives in service to our country. Let's remember them together.

05/24/2026

Our most recent Brown Bag Lunch Presentation is now live on our YouTube! Learn about Benjamin Franklin's life and legacy with former Plymouth teacher and lifelong genealogist Monty Peden. We really enjoyed this one—thank you to Monty and everyone who attended!

Benjamin Franklin -- printer, writer, publisher, scientist, inventor, philosopher, public servant, diplomat and a key Founding Father of our nation. Former P...