The Marion Historic Association and Museum

10/15/2026

A Little Piece of Marion’s History: Reyn’s Restaurant!

Do you remember Reyn’s Restaurant on Main Street in Marion?

The restaurant was located directly across from what is now the United Church, in the blue building that currently sits vacant next to the Mexican restaurant.

Pictured here in 1958 is 6-year-old Susan Kittle with her sister-in-law, Dottie Reynolds Kittle, who also worked at the restaurant. Susan’s parents, Margaret and Carm Reynolds, ran Reyn’s Restaurant.

Here’s another fun memory from Susan! Dottie’s daughter loved the ice cream so much that they said she would even try to eat the ice cream right off the poster! We have a picture of her in Reyn’s.

Margaret and Carm rented the building, and we believe the restaurant remained in operation until sometime in the 1970s. The building’s owner was a lawyer, which was Mr. Purchase who eventually wanted the space for his offices.

Old photographs and the stories that go with them help bring Marion’s history to life! These little glimpses into the past remind us of the people, businesses, and memories that helped shape our community.

Do you remember Reyn’s Restaurant? Did you eat there, work there, or have memories of Margaret and Carm? We would love to hear your stories and learn more about this little piece of Marion’s history!

Or better yet have pictures you can share with us that help tell a story or spark memories? Share them with us.

10/13/2026

A Look Back in Marion History!

Let’s take a step back in time to the 1932–1933 school year and an early Marion basketball team!

Standing on the steps of the gymnasium entrance at the time, this photo captures a piece of Marion’s school history. Today, those very same steps lead to the auditorium at Marion Elementary School!

So much has changed over the years, but this picture gives us a glimpse into a very different era. From the uniforms and the basketball itself to the coaches proudly dressed in suits, every detail tells a story!

As we continue celebrating 200 years of Marion, it’s fun to look back at the people, places, and traditions that helped shape our community.

Do you recognize anyone in this photo? We would love to hear your stories and memories!

10/11/2026

What a night at Haunting in the Hamlet!

Last night, we celebrated 200 years of Marion history with our biggest Haunting in the Hamlet yet!

Celebrating our Bicentennial meant sharing even more stories from Marion’s past and bringing the people who came before us back to life through our historic interpreters.

Thankfully, our amazing group of students who want to participate continues to grow each year! Their enthusiasm, dedication, and willingness to be part of this event helped make it all possible. We are so proud to see our youth embracing local history, building community connections, and creating memories that will last a lifetime!

A HUGE thank-you to Jen Hunter for all the hard work, creativity, and countless hours she puts into making this event happen. Jen is the mastermind behind Haunting in the Hamlet, and her passion for Marion’s history is what helps bring this event to life year after year!

Thank you to every student, volunteer, and supporter who helped make this special Bicentennial year one to remember. It takes a community to bring 200 years of history to life, and Marion certainly showed up!

10/08/2026

Here’s a sneak peek at the program for Saturday, October 10th’s Haunting in the Hamlet!

This year’s list of past Marion residents is HUGE as we celebrate 200 years of Marion history! We can’t wait to bring their stories to life throughout the haunted cemetery walk.

Some tour times are already SOLD OUT! Walk-ins are welcome, but pre-purchasing your tickets is the best way to guarantee your preferred tour time.

Come step into Marion’s past… if you dare!

See comments for purchasing details.

10/07/2026

Did you know we have the most stone buildings I believe in the county! Check out this post it is a Marion house and will give you more information about the Marion houses if you check out the WHO website!

Wayne County Historic Sites!!!

Monday's Historic to the Core post led you to a map of cobblestone structures in the town of Sodus. One can see a number of cobblestone homes throughout the county. There are also a good number of cut-stone structures in the county. Today's post is leading you to explore the various cut stone buildings, mostly in Marion, that may be visited through the Wayne Historians Historic Sites Database.
https://waynehistorians.org/Places/?keyword=&town=0&pid=400&type=403
Just click on the "Site #" (06-012) to view.
Shown here - Hall Homestead on Hall Road in Marion - completed in 1830.

If you go through this listing and find a cut stone structure missing in the list from your town, please let us know. If you can provide a photo, historical overview, and location. We will consider adding that to the database. Also, if you have more information on any of the structures currently in the database, please consider sharing that with us, as well by emailing

For more on Marion's cut-stone structures - check out this Bicentennial Minute by former Marion historian, Caryn Devlin. https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=wqaeXuc5de8

10/06/2026

We’re highlighting a Marion resident whose name may still be familiar to many local families…

Dr. Donald Bovet, affectionately known as “Dr. Don” or simply “Doc,” served as Marion’s beloved country doctor for more than five decades. From house calls to caring for generations of local families, his impact on our community was remarkable.

But there’s much more to Doc’s story—and you can get a little sneak peek right now at the Marion Museum at Jennie’s House, where a display featuring Dr. Bovet is currently on exhibit!

And if you’d like to hear more about this fascinating Marion resident, be sure to join us for Haunting in the Hamlet on October 10th at the Marion Cemetery. Some of our tour time slots have sold out or selling quickly, so purchase soon! The weather looks great!

10/04/2026

NEXT WEEKEND!

Have you bought your tickets yet? Some time slots are already almost sold out!

The weather is looking good, the costumes are getting their final touches, and we’re getting ready for a spooky night full of history, fun, and a few surprises!

Join us for Haunting in the Hamlet on October 10th from 6:30–8 PM. Tour groups leave every 10 minutes. Come see Marion’s history come to life… if you dare!

Get your tickets today:https://share.google/TjrKNMgcAxPnLM34n

10/02/2026

Marion Fall Festival is TOMORROW from 10-4pm.

It’s a great time to come out to Marion, enjoy the Fall Festival, and stop by the Marion Museum at Jennie’s House before we change over our displays for the new year!

And if you haven’t picked up your Marion Bicentennial merchandise, we still have lots available!

📚 Bicentennial calendars
👕 Bicentennial shirts
🖼️ Bicentennial posters
📖 Cookbooks
🚂 The Train That Stopped for the Traffic Light
…and more!

You can pre-purchase online and pick up at the museum, or stop in and pay with cash.

👕 Bicentennial shirts are ONLY available at the museum and we have select sizes remaining. Grab yours soon—we’re running low and will NOT be reordering!

Come visit us, check out the museum, and take home a little piece of Marion’s 200th birthday!

Or visit our website at https://share.google/csCLlPFlO0K2ccph4

09/30/2026

Marion’s Dry Houses: A Look Back

As we head into harvest season, it’s the perfect time to remember a once-common sight across Marion, dry houses. These buildings played an important role in preserving fruits like apples and pears, both for family use and for sale.

Before home canning became affordable, farms relied on dry houses to prepare fruit for market. At places like the Dean farm, fruit was peeled, sliced, and dried over coal-fired furnaces, then shipped by train to cities for use in pies and desserts.

A 50-pound bushel shrank to just 7 pounds!
With the rise of canning and cold storage, dry houses faded away, but a few still stand today as reminders of Marion’s rich agricultural past.

These pictures are from Marion and scattered throughout our town, from some in the village to along our countryside.