Lyon County Museum

Ice Cream Shop Floats Special
2019-07-25 14:00 - 17:00, 2019-07-18 14:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Lyon County Historical Society Museum, 301 West Lyon Street, Marshall, MN, 56258, United States
July is National Ice Cream Month! To celebrate, the Lyon County Museum is running a special on Schwan’s ice cream floats on July 18 and July 25.
On Thursday, July 18 and Thursday, July 25 from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm, Schwan’s root beer or orange floats are $1.00 each in the museum’s ice cream shop.

Museum Closed for 4th of July
2019-07-04 10:00 - 17:00
The Lyon County Museum is closed on Thursday, July 4.

Lyon County's 150th Anniversary Planning Committee Meeting
2019-06-24 18:30 - 20:00
Lyon County’s sesquicentennial is coming up in 2020. The Lyon County Museum, 301 W Lyon Street, Marshall is hosting planning committee meetings. If you are interested in planning activities and a celebration for Lyon County’s 150th anniversary, attend to find out more information.
If you are unable to attend the meeting, but would like to get involved, please contact Jennifer Andries at 507-537-6580 or director@lyoncomuseum.org

Beneath the Same Stars: Fictionalizing the 1862 U.S. Dakota War
2019-05-30 18:30 - 19:30
In this captivating multimedia presentation Cole-Dai will tell a few stories behind her writing of the novel. She’ll lead her audience on a journey from a family cemetery in a dense woods in North Kingstown, Rhode Island; to the ruins of the Upper Sioux Agency near Granite Falls, Minnesota; to the kitchen table of a Dakota elder in Peever, South Dakota…. Along the way she’ll explore a largely forgotten history that still haunts this region of the country.
About the Author
Originally from Ohio, Phyllis Cole-Dai now resides with her scientist-husband, teenage son and two cats in a cozy 120-year-old house in Brookings, South Dakota. She has authored or edited nine books in multiple genres as well as four music albums. Her most recent book is Beneath the Same Stars, a novel of the 1862 U.S.-Dakota War. Get a free sampler of her writing and music by joining her mailing list at phylliscoledai.com.
This program is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

A Look Back at the 1950's Presentation by Lloyd Petersen
2019-05-28 18:30 - 19:30
Lloyd Petersen will present on the era of Rock and Roll, poodle skirts, the Cold War, and more. The presentation will be held in the Lyon County Museum’s Schwan’s Ice Cream Shop.
Free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

Museum Closed for Memorial Day
2019-05-27 10:00 - 17:00
The Lyon County Museum is closed on Monday, May 27 for Memorial Day.

Ice Cream Shop Floats Special
2019-05-23 14:00 - 17:00, 2019-05-09 14:00 - 17:00
May is Minnesota Museums Month! To celebrate, the Lyon County Museum is running a special on Schwan’s ice cream floats on May 9 and May 23.
On Thursday, May 9 and Thursday, May 23 from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm, Schwans’ root beer or orange floats are $1.00 each in the the museum’s ice cream shop.

Pipe Collection Exhibit Reception and Program
2019-05-22 18:00 - 19:30
Doors open at 6:00 pm to view the new exhibit featuring the pipe collection of Mark Schwanebeck. Mark will talk about his pipe collection at 6:30 pm.
Mark is sharing a portion of his pipe collection at the Lyon County Museum on display now through June 15. The collection is located in the museum’s Heritage Room on the main floor of the museum. The exhibit was put together by volunteers, Ann Carrow, Beverly Kenyon, and Barb Zick.
The exhibit features a wide array of collectible items featuring pipes and pipe accents. The collection includes figurines, pictures, dishes, flower vases, and many more interesting items…
The reception and program is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
This exhibit is the first of collections displays to be featured at the Lyon County Museum.
The collection is on display now through June 15, so be sure to check it out!

Caring for and Reading Old Photographs
2019-05-21 18:30 - 19:30
Lyon County Historical Society Executive Director, Jennifer Andries, will give a presentation on Caring for and Reading Old Photographs. Learn how to read old photographs as well as the care, handling, and storage of old photographs. Please bring in your own photographs for discussion and learn how to properly preserve them for future generations to enjoy.
The program is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

Lyon County's 150th Anniversary Planning Committee Meeting
2019-05-20 18:30 - 20:00, 2019-04-15 18:30 - 20:00
Lyon County’s sesquicentennial is coming up in 2020. The Lyon County Museum, 301 W Lyon Street, Marshall is hosting planning committee meetings on the 3rd Monday of the month. If you are interested in planning activities and a celebration for Lyon County’s 150th anniversary, attend to find out more information.
If you are unable to attend the meeting, but would like to get involved, please contact Jennifer Andries at 507-537-6580 or director@lyoncomuseum.org

WWII Prisoner of War Camps in Southern Minnesota
2019-05-09 18:30 - 19:30
Colleen Gengler will present on what camp life was like in three Prisoner of War camps in southern Minnesota including Fairmont, New Ulm, and Owatonna during the Second World War.
Gengler’s interest in the topic comes from her parents’ use of POW labor on their farm south of Owatonna during the war years. In presentations of her family memoir, “Under Minnesota Skies,” the story of her father’s experience with POWs always generated questions and comments from many people who are not familiar with this part of Minnesota’ history.
From new research, Gengler will share stories from southern Minnesota camps as well as a few others and give background on WWII POWs in the United States. Minnesota had 19 branch camps overseen by the base camp at Algona, Iowa.
This program is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

Time Travelers: From Here to There, Grades 4-6
2019-04-13 10:30 - 11:30
From Here to There:
The United States Post Office (USPO) was created on July 26, 1775, by decree of the Second Continental Congress. It was an innovative way to stay in touch with friends and family that lived far away from you. Fascinating photos and stories tell the story of a simple letter in the mail system 100 years ago. Participants will create their own special design for the Museum Post Office.
Time Travelers Program, Grades 4-6
Free
Sign up is recommended by calling 537-6580 or email director@lyoncomuseum.org the Friday before the class.
Parents and family members can join in on the fun!

Time Travelers: From Here to There, Grades 1-3
2019-04-13 10:30 - 11:30
From Here to There:
The United States Post Office (USPO) was created on July 26, 1775, by decree of the Second Continental Congress. It was an innovative way to stay in touch with friends and family that lived far away from you. Fascinating photos and stories tell the story of a simple letter in the mail system 100 years ago. Participants will create their own special design for the Museum Post Office.
Time Travelers Program, Grades 1-3
Free
Sign up is recommended by calling 537-6580 or email director@lyoncomuseum.org the Friday before the class.
Parents and family members can join in on the fun!

Pipe Collection Exhibit
2019-04-01 08:00 - 2019-06-15 17:00
Mark Schwanebeck is sharing a portion of his pipe collection at the Lyon County Museum on display now through June 15. The collection is located in the museum’s Heritage Room on the main floor of the museum. The exhibit was put together by volunteers, Ann Carrow, Beverly Kenyon, and Barb Zick.
The exhibit features a wide array of collectible items featuring pipes and pipe accents. The collection includes figurines, pictures, dishes, flower vases, and many more interesting items…
The reception and program is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
This exhibit is the first of collections displays to be featured at the Lyon County Museum.
The pipe collection is on display now through June 15, so be sure to check it out!
The museum’s hours are:
Monday: 10:00-5:00, Tuesday: 10:00-5:00, Wednesday: 10:00-5:00, Thursday: 10:00-7:00, Friday: 10:00-5:00, and Saturday: 10:00-4:00

Time Travelers: March Comes in Like a Lion! Grades 4-6
2019-03-23 12:30 - 14:00
March Comes in Like A Lion!
Weather predictions help us plan trips, what to wear outside, and when to plant crops and gardens. Understanding weather patterns was important for families in keeping them safe and making good decisions about being outside. And, we will be planning for spring!
Time Travelers Program, Grades 4-6
Free
Sign up is recommended by calling 537-6580 or email director@lyoncomuseum.org the Friday before the class.
Parents and family members can join in on the fun!

Time Travelers: March Comes in Like a Lion! Grades 1-3
2019-03-23 10:30 - 11:30
March Comes in Like A Lion!
Weather predictions help us plan trips, what to wear outside, and when to plant crops and gardens. Understanding weather patterns was important for families in keeping them safe and making good decisions about being outside. And, we will be planning for spring!
Time Travelers Program, Grades 1-3
Free
Sign up is recommended by calling 537-6580 or email director@lyoncomuseum.org the Friday before the class.
Parents and family members can join in on the fun!

Time Travelers: The Art of Storytelling, Grades 4-6
2019-02-09 12:30 - 14:00
The Art of Storytelling:
Winters can be long and dark so games and storytelling helped passed the time for families. Participants will make games and learn the art of storytelling-all without any help from electricity!
Time Travelers Program, Grades 4-6
Free
Sign up is recommended by calling 537-6580 or email director@lyoncomuseum.org the Friday before the class.
Parents and family members can join in on the fun!

Time Travelers: The Art of Storytelling, Grades 1-3
2019-02-09 10:30 - 11:30
The Art of Storytelling:
Winters can be long and dark so games and storytelling helped passed the time for families. Participants will make games and learn the art of storytelling-all without any help from electricity!
Time Travelers Program, Grades 1-3
Free
Sign up is recommended by calling 537-6580 or email director@lyoncomuseum.org the Friday before the class.
Parents and family members can join in on the fun!

What the Railroads Brought to the High Plains
2019-01-12 14:00 - 15:00
What the Railroads Brought to the High Plains
This program will cover the chronology and highlights of the development of the railroad system in the High Plains of Minnesota and the Dakotas. Emphasis will be the various types of rail transport that were utilized to develop the diverse regions and economies of the region.
This presentation will be conducted by Rick Mills. Rick Mills of Hermosa is a fifth generation resident of the Black Hills region in western South Dakota, and a lifelong railroad enthusiast. He currently serves as the Director of the South Dakota State Railroad Museum in Hill City, a position he has held since the Museum’s opening in 2010.
Mills wrote and published his first book on railroad history in 1985 while a freshman at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, and has since authored five books on regional railroad history, co-authored or edited six other books, and produced articles, scripts, and photo essays for history publications and video productions.
He has been involved with programming for South Dakota Public Broadcasting, the History Channel, and the Discovery Channel, and is a presenter for the South Dakota Humanities Council Speakers Bureau.

Time Travelers: All Aboard! Grades 1-6
2019-01-12 10:30 - 11:30
Time Travelers: All Aboard! Grades 1-6
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Note: Both age groups will be combined this month for the Time Travelers program
I Saw a Train: What They Do and Where Do They Go?
This program will cover the operations of the railroad system in the High Plains of Minnesota and the Dakotas – geared for children. The what and the where of trains… emphasis will be the various types of rail transport which impact our lives on a daily basis.
The program will be conducted by Rick Mills. Rick Mills of Hermosa is a fifth generation resident of the Black Hills region in western South Dakota, and a lifelong railroad enthusiast. He currently serves as the Director of the South Dakota State Railroad Museum in Hill City, a position he has held since the Museum’s opening in 2010.

Museum Closed
2019-01-01 10:00 - 17:00
The Lyon County Museum is closed on Tuesday, January 1.

Museum Closed
2018-12-25 10:00 - 17:00
The Lyon County Museum is closed on Tuesday, December 25.

Time Travelers: Elf on a Shelf, Grades 4-6
2018-12-22 12:30 - 14:00, 2018-12-15 12:30 - 14:00
December 1, 8, 15, 22, 2018 Elf on a Shelf
Join the search for the Elf! There are lots of nooks and crannies in the museum for a mischievous Elf to hide, so everyone will need to come back every Saturday to find his new hiding place!

Time Travelers: Elf on a Shelf, Grades 1-3
2018-12-22 10:30 - 11:30, 2018-12-15 10:30 - 11:30

World War I Traveling Exhibit
2018-12-10 10:00 - 2019-01-18 17:00
The West Central Minnesota Historical Association traveling exhibit, The Great War; the Great Impact: How WWI Hit Home in West Central Minnesota, opens at the Lyon County Museum, 301 W Lyon St, Marshall on December 10. The traveling exhibit runs in Marshall until January 18.
The West Central Minnesota Historical Association (WCMHA) is a collaboration of the county and area historical societies and museums of 10 counties in West Central Minnesota. The counties included are Big Stone, Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Redwood, Renville, Swift and Yellow Medicine. The purpose of this collaboration is to promote and tell the history of West Central Minnesota.
The traveling exhibit has been financed in part with funds provided by the State of Minnesota from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Minnesota Historical Society.
The exhibit is available to view during regular museum hours: Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 10:00-5:00, Thursday 10:00-7:00, and Saturday 10:00-4:00
