Historical and Cultural Activities in Marion, IL

If you’re looking for an educational experience in the Marion area, you’re in luck. Our county has several culturally significant locations where you can expand your horizons and learn about Marion’s history. Keep reading to find out about five cultural activities in Marion, Illinois.

Explore Local History at Williamson County Historical Museum

Marion Illinois by Paul Sableman is licensed with CC BY 2.0

If you’re curious about life in early Marion, the Williamson County Historical Museum is the place for you. The building, built in 1913, was the town jail and home for the sheriff and his family. These days, the museum features artifacts dating back to the early 1800s. This museum recreates historical settings in Marion, allowing visitors to stroll through decades of history in a single afternoon.

You’ll find historic homes and businesses in different rooms, all recreated using authentic artifacts. For example, one of the cells has been converted to resemble a doctor’s office from the early 20th century, complete with antique medical instruments. If you’re interested in conducting genealogical research on a local family, you can request information from the museum’s library and archives.

The museum is free for visitors to conduct self-guided tours and research, but you can call ahead to request a guided tour. During the spring and summer, it’s open from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday.

Find a New Favorite Book at the Marion Carnegie Library

Opened in 1916, Marion Carnegie Library has been serving the Marion community for over a century. Its name comes from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation, which funded its construction. This three-story library contains over 118,000 items, which means this cultural center has something for visitors of all ages. Younger visitors might enjoy the Children’s Library in the basement, while young adults have a dedicated section on the top floor. If the library doesn’t have an item you’re looking for, you can request it through an interlibrary loan system.

The library is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Along with its regular service, the Marion Carnegie Library hosts a wide range of programs for children, teens, and adults. Young visitors might enjoy story hours, yoga lessons, or club meetings for various special interests. There are also programs for adult visitors, including adult craft hours and regular visits from lawyers, who can meet with individuals and advise them on legal matters.

Learn About the Civil War at the General John A. Logan Museum

Located about 40 minutes from Marion in Murphysboro, the General John A. Logan Museum commemorates the life of a leading Union Army officer. The museum’s exhibits tell the story of General John A. Logan, whose experiences in the Civil War led him to reject the racist beliefs of his early life and embrace abolition. Logan’s most significant contribution to American history was perhaps his passing of General Order No. 11 in 1868, establishing May 30th as Memorial Day. He performed this act as commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, a prominent organization for Union Army veterans.

The museum also explores what life was like in Southern Illinois during the Civil War. The region was contested during the Civil War, as both the Union and Confederacy understood its strategic importance. Temporary exhibitions might show artifacts on loan from the Illinois State Military Museum. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Tuesday to Friday and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. While the museum is free for visitors, donations are encouraged.

Catch a Show at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center

Located in the heart of our town, the Marion Cultural and Civic Center hosts various events every year. This historic location was originally the Orpheum Play House, a vaudeville and silent film theater that opened in 1922. For decades, the Orpheum played films and hosted live events with famous entertainers, including Harry Houdini. Because of the rise of television, the building fell into disuse in the late 1960s and 1970s. The city bought the Orpheum, remodeled the inside of the building, and renamed it the Marion Cultural and Civic Center.

Today, thousands of patrons attend comedy shows, concerts, and plays at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center. Some events, like comedy shows, might be more appropriate for adults, but the Marion Cultural and Civic Center also hosts many family-friendly shows. Ticket prices depend on the performance you plan to see and the seats you want. You can find out about upcoming shows and buy tickets on the Marion Cultural and Civic Center’s website.

See a Play at the McLeod Summer Playhouse

About a half-hour drive from Marion, the McLeod Summer Playhouse at Southern Indiana University allows you to see great shows and support upcoming actors, directors, and theater technicians. The McLeod Summer Playhouse is a part of the theater department at Southern Indiana University. Every summer, the company puts on several shows starring students from the theater program. This experience helps the students hone their acting skills and learn about life on a theater set.

The shows vary by year, but the company typically includes at least one musical per summer. Usually, the company offers several evening performances and a matinee of each play, which might be ideal for families. Since it’s a student company, you can get the full theater experience for a fraction of the cost. Ticket prices depend on the play and the age of the attendee. You can buy tickets online, by phone, or in person.

Those are just a few of Marion’s historical and educational experiences. If you’re looking for the perfect vehicle for your next cultural activity, our team at Ike Honda is here to help. Please browse our online inventory of new Hondas and used vehicles to find your next set of wheels, or stop by our Marion location to speak to a team member.