July 1999
"You Should See This Place"
The Marshall County Museum
Summer months are devoted to planned vacations, driving many miles to visit sites that someone has said, "you should see this place." Did you know entertainment is just around the corner in Marshall County? The Marshall County Museum, located in the heart of downtown Plymouth, is the place you should see!
In the five years that the Marshall County Museum has been located at 123 North Michigan Street, there has been visitors from all over the world. Their comments are always the same, "I hope the local people know they are blessed with such a rich heritage of their county's history."
This heritage on display is largely due to this generous and sharing community. Marshall County residents have been very generous over the years and the museum staff and volunteers have carefully preserved these artifacts. Local patrons who visit for the first time are surprised that the museum has such a large artifact collection.
The museum houses three floors. Changing exhibits, giving maximum exposure to the collection of artifacts, hands-on-room and the gift shop are on the main level. Samples of this county's special history are displayed in period and events of history. Upstairs, this history continues in special room exhibits.
The lower level is home for the extensive research library. Out of state visitors travel to the Marshall County Museum to spend three and four days just to use this rich resource area, fast becoming known as one of the best in the United States. Part of this is due to Judy McCollough who goes above and beyond to find those extra pieces of history to link a lost generation or find additional information on a structure or cemetery.
Some little known facts about Marshall County are fun and fascinating. There was Mr. Bunnell, the furniture maker, who also made caskets, and instead of dodging cars on Michigan Street, there was a time that you may have dodged pigs and cows.
And there is commercial history that give testimony to this community's special roots. The following are three examples"
Treat's For Her - 214 North Michigan Street
A crowd of 12,000 were expected to visit the new Montgomery Wards being the first 'off the shelf' retail store. The company first opened the store at this location shortly after realizing the retail success of its original location, holding its grand opening three days before the stock market crash on October 27, 1929. Known as Montgomery Ward Building, this original design became a standard design for chain stores throughout the country.
Meck Industries
John S. Meck founded the business on East Pennsylvania Avenue. The company originally manufactured phonographs and public address systems. During the war, quartz crystals for radio equipment and various other electric devices were manufactured. After WWII the company converted to radio production and in June 1949. turned out its first commercial TV receiving sets with 7 and 10 inch table models. The plant closed in 1956.
Indiana Novelty Company
In 1891 the Indiana Novelty Manufacturing Company was organized for the manufacture of wood novelties. The company was known for the famous Plymouth inter-locked-joint wood bicycle rim. It was the largest maker of wood rims in the world.
There is personal history and the history of businesses that most of us do not recognize as being a part of the growth of this community. Somewhere in the basements and back storage rooms, Marshall County history is stored - put aside at the time, as "maybe someday this might be useful again" and upon tomorrow's clean up, pitched out. A store sign or a document that gives insight and recognition to this county's history, your business's history - a history that is just yesterday and shortly, will represent the 'gone but not forgotten' 20th century, should have a home where it may be shared. Bring your history to the Marshall County Museum and make it a permanent part of your own Marshall County history! Museum hours are Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is closed Sundays and Mondays and all county holidays.
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