History Center at Marion Public Library

09/02/2026

Not to toot our own horn, but we have a new display of musical instruments! 📯

Check out this display of instruments and sheet music from our museum collection for National Library Card Sign-Up Month! This display will be in the Marion Public Library entrance through the end of September.

08/31/2026

We're happy to share that a selection of Black history photos from our Chronicle-Tribune photo collection are now available to view online through Indiana Digital Memory. Click the link in the comments to view the collection! 📸

Research and digitization of this collection was completed by our Digital Collections and Research Coordinator, Torriana McNair. Over the past year, McNair has dedicatedly researched the representation of local Black history in this collection, documenting her findings, presenting stories to the public, and now creating this digital collection. We're grateful for her dedication to this work!

This project has been funded by a Heritage Support Grant. Heritage Support Grants are provided by the Indiana Historical Society and made possible by Lilly Endowment Inc. The History Center would also like to thank Atlas Foundry Company Inc, SOS Marion, and the Grant County Historical Society for their generous support, which made this project possible.

08/28/2026

South Marion was a bustling shopping district in its heyday.

This photo, taken at 31st and Washington Streets, showcases new streetlights installed in 1958.

Do you recognize businesses in this photograph? Share your memories with us in the comments. 👇

08/28/2026

08/27/2026

Want to help us preserve Grant County's local history?

Come help us clean our display cases and museum galleries through United Way's Day of Action 2026. Learn more about the History Center's work and exhibits while making your own mark!

📅 Date: Friday, September 18
🕰️ Time: 1-5PM (or until work is completed)
🌐 Follow the link in the comments to register!

United Way of Grant County

08/27/2026

The Indiana Room & Museum will open at 1 pm on August 29th. The library will open at 11 am.

08/21/2026

Many Marion residents have fond memories of Sutter's Dairy Products. 🥛🐄

This long-standing Marion business was founded in 1929 by John G. Sutter as Marion Pure Milk Co. These photos of Sutter's are from our Chronicle-Tribune photo collection.

Do you have memories of Sutter's? Share with us in the comments!

08/21/2026

Marion Public Library has joined the Adventure Backpack program, thanks to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. The small backpack comes with a letter to enter state parks, books to help you identify native birds and wild edible plants, as well as a compass and mini binoculars. Extras like camp sites, fishing licenses, or museums are not included.

08/19/2026

Coming to the History Center in September: Auto Indiana! 🚗 🛻

This traveling exhibit from the Indiana Historical Society takes visitors on a ride through Indiana's rich automotive past. Visitors to this exhibit are invited to also view current displays on Marion’s Crosley factory and the Indiana Truck Corporation at the History Center.

Auto Indiana explores the mark Indiana's inventors and innovators such as Elwood Haynes and Ralph Teetor and automakers such as Studebaker and Duesenberg left on the industry—and vice versa.

The exhibit also illuminates ties between the automobiles and the development of many other economic opportunities for the "Crossroads of America," such as the iron, steel and glass businesses. In addition, it explores how the automobile became part of the American Dream and popular culture, from movies to making personal memories.

Finally, the exhibit allows guests to gaze down the road ahead for Hoosiers, from the environmental impact of automobiles to a look at manufacturing today.