More people are becoming members of the Marshall County Museum and there has been an increase in visitors.
The total number of visitors for the year at the Marshall County Museum was up to 6,039 for the year as of October 1. Over 5,400 visitors were from Marshall County, 322 from around the state, 277 from other states and eight people from other countries.
Museum Director Linda Rippy said she was surprised at the numbers since the museum was closed for a bit due to the pandemic.
The volunteer hours total 2,333 so far in 2021.
Rippy recently told the Marshall County Commissioners and the Marshall County Council members that the Marshall County Historical Society received a $8,927 grant from the Marshall County Community Foundation to improve the audio and visual needs in the museum’s Community Room.
Rippy said the museum also received an award.
“We are the winner of the 2021 Indiana History Outstanding Organization,” commented Rippy. “The extraordinary photography of J.R. Koontz from Bremen is the one that won that award.”
She also stated that an ornament from Marshall County will be on the Indiana Statehouse tree.
“They requested an ornament from the 92 counties. Our volunteer, Sharon Ousnamer, made the ornament. We sent that down there. It promotes the historic Crossroads of America for Marshall County because that’s what we are, and then we have a picture of Chief Menominee on it also.”
Rippy noted that the staff is preparing to decorate the museum for the holidays and a 1980s exhibit will be featured soon as well.
