Lyon County Museum

Reflections Series: "The (Not So) Invisible Empire: The KKK in Southwest Minnesota in the 1920s" Program
2025-10-14 18:30 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | Lyon County Historical Society Museum, 301 West Lyon Street, Marshall, MN, 56258, United States
Anita Talsma Gaul will present on, “The (Not So) Invisible Empire: The KKK in Southwest Minnesota in the 1920s” at the Lyon County Museum, 301 West Lyon Street, Marshall on Tuesday, October 14 at 6:30 PM.
The 1920s was a period of rapid change, causing many Americans to feel a sense of nostalgia and fear – nostalgia for an idealized, simpler past and fear that America was in a state of moral decline. This prompted the rise of the Ku Klux Klan, particularly in the Upper Midwest. Klan activity in Southwest Minnesota began in 1922, peaked in 1924, and virtually disappeared by 1927. Dozens of cross burnings occurred, but there were also Klan rallies, parades, picnics, and meetings.
What attracted rural Minnesotans to this organization? How and why did it become popular in this area? And what accounts for its sudden demise? The brief but intense presence of the KKK in Southwest Minnesota is a hidden chapter in the region’s history and one that merits closer scrutiny.
Anita Talsma Gaul is a History Instructor at Minnesota West Community & Technical College in Worthington, MN. She is the author of several local history publications including The Women of Southwest Minnesota and the Great War (published by the Society for Local & Regional History) and Homely Girls and Pretty Babies: A History of the Murray County Fair (published by the Murray County Agricultural Society). She is also the author of seven MNopedia articles, a digital encyclopedia published by the Minnesota Historical Society.
The program is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. Programs at the Lyon County Museum are sponsored by members. For more information, contact the Lyon County Museum at 507-537-6580 or director@lyoncomuseum.org

Halloween Family Fun Day at the Museum
2025-10-25 12:00 - 16:00
Halloween Family Fun Day at the Museum is Saturday, October 25 from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Lyon County Museum, 301 W Lyon St, Marshall. Free event. All kids dressed in costume will receive a treat bag. Activities include: Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt, Crafts, Coloring Activities, and $2.00 Orange or Root Beer Floats in the museum’s ice cream shop. For more information: 507-537-6580

Reflections Series: American Immigration, the Saga of Ellis Island" Program
2025-10-27 18:30 - 19:30
Frank Sachs will present “American Immigration, The Saga of Ellis Island” at the Lyon County Museum, 301 West Lyon Street, Marshall on Monday, October 27 at 6:30 PM.

Where we have come from and the story of America immigration. Because the focus has largely been on the story of Western European immigration, prior to the 21st Century it has often focused on the unique role Ellis Island and so will we, as we discuss how it served as Gateway to America during the latter half of 19th and early 20th Century during the heights of pre Great Depression emigration when a record number of immigrants came to the United States.

Frank Sachs is a retired twin cities educator with a BS in American History and a MS in Guidance and Counseling. He has taught in both public and private schools for 40 plus years. The last 37 of those years were at The Blake School in Minneapolis where he was a senior administrator and taught in the Social Studies department. During the majority of those years Frank taught primarily AP US Government and Politics, US Constitutional Law and American History while serving as the Director of College Counseling.

The program is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. Programs at the Lyon County Museum are sponsored by members. For more information, contact the Lyon County Museum at 507-537-6580

Genealogy Club Meeting at the Lyon County Museum
2025-11-03 13:30 - 15:30, 2025-12-01 13:30 - 15:30
The Lyon County Museum, 301 West Lyon Street, Marshall is hosting a Genealogy Club meeting in the Joseph A. Amato Research Center on the main floor of the Lyon County Museum. The meetings are held on the first Monday of the month. The gathering is open to anyone interested in talking about their family history research and those interested in genealogy. Attendees will also receive an introduction to resources available at the Lyon County Museum. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact the Lyon County Museum at 507-537-6580.

Veterans Coffee at the Lyon County Museum
2025-11-04 13:30 - 15:30
The monthly veterans coffee is the first Tuesday of the month and is open to all veterans. Enjoy coffee, water, juice, and treats while visiting with fellow veterans in the ice cream shop at the museum. For more information, contact the Lyon County Museum at 507-537-6580.

Museum Closed on Veterans Day
2025-11-11 10:00 - 16:00
The Lyon County Museum will be closed on Tuesday, November 11 for Veterans Day

Christmas, Cocktails & Charcuterie
2025-11-21 19:00 - 21:00
Kick off the holiday season in style at our Christmas, Cocktails & Charcuterie event on Thursday, November 21st from 7–9 PM at the Lyon County Museum in Marshall, MN!
Sip on seasonal cocktails, savor delicious charcuterie bites, and be the very first to stroll through our enchanting Christmas Tree Walk — then cast your vote (and your donation!) for your favorite tree.
Tickets: $25 **COMING SOON!**Limited tickets will be available — at the Lyon County Museum or call 507-537-6580!
Holiday attire encouraged — bring your festive flair!Kick off the season with sparkle, sips, and the spirit of giving at this unforgettable evening.

The 13th Annual Indoor Christmas Tree Walk
2025-11-22 11:00 - 2025-12-31 16:00
The 13th Annual Indoor Christmas Tree Walk opens at the Lyon County Museum, 301 W Lyon St, Marshall on Saturday, November 22. The trees and museum will stay decorated through December 31. View decorated trees by area families, businesses, non-profit organizations, and service organizations.
To vote for your favorite(s), place money in a box located by each tree. The top 3 organizations/businesses with the most money in their boxes will win the 2025 tree walk. There will be an online option to vote on the museum’s website. All proceeds from the boxes will go to benefit the Lyon County Historical Society’s mission of preserving and presenting Lyon County history. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes will be awarded to the top 3 trees. 1st prize is $150 in Marshall Chamber Dollars 2nd prize is $100 in Marshall Chamber Dollars 3rd prize is $50 in Marshall Chamber Dollars.
The museum will have extended hours during this time. The museum hours for November 22-December 31 are Monday-Thursday: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM; Friday: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM; Saturday: 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Closed on Sundays. Check the Lyon County Museum’s website: www.lyoncomuseum.org for closed holidays.
For more information, contact the Lyon County Museum at 507-537-6580.

Lyon County Museum Closed
2025-11-26 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-11-27 10:00 - 16:00
The Lyon County Museum is closed on Wednesday, November 26 and Thursday, November 27 for Thanksgiving.

Veterans Coffee at the Lyon County Museum
2025-12-02 13:30 - 15:30
The monthly veterans coffee is the first Tuesday of the month and is open to all veterans. Enjoy coffee, water, juice, and treats while visiting with fellow veterans in the ice cream shop at the museum. For more information, contact the Lyon County Museum at 507-537-6580

Holiday Home Tour
2025-12-07 13:00 - 16:00
The Holiday Home Tour is a fundraiser for the Lyon County Historical Society Museum and is on Sunday, December 7, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Tickets are $20/each and are only available at the Lyon County Museum. The ticket book includes a description of each home along with a map. The Lyon County Museum, 301 W Lyon St, Marshall will be open from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM on the day of the tour for cookies and refreshments. The museum is decked out for the holidays. Check out the annual Christmas Tree Walk and Heritage Room holiday exhibit.
We thank the homeowners who make this event possible:
– Joyce DeCramer
– Kevin and Nicole DeBoer
– Jim and Ann Carrow
– Victoria Carlson and Berkeley Lewis
All of the homes are located in Marshall city limits.
For more information, please contact Jennifer at the Lyon County Museum by calling 507-537-6580

Holiday Fun Day at the Museum
2025-12-13 12:00 - 16:00
Holiday Fun Day at the Lyon County Museum, 301 West Lyon Street, Marshall is on Saturday, December 13. The event runs from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
Join us for holiday treats, beverages, music, and coloring/craft activities. Special guests, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at the museum from 1:00 to 2:00 PM that day. Free event. There will be specials on Gift Shop merchandise that day for your holiday shopping needs.
For more information call the Lyon County Museum at 507-537-6580

Lyon County Museum Closed
2025-12-24 10:00 - 16:00
The Lyon County Museum is Closed on Wednesday, December 24 for Christmas Eve.

Lyon County Museum Closed
2025-12-25 10:00 - 16:00
The Lyon County Museum is Closed on Thursday, December 25 for Christmas Day.

Lyon County Museum Closed
2026-01-01 10:00 - 16:00
The Lyon County Museum is closed on January 1 for New Year’s Day.

Genealogy Club at the Lyon County Museum
2026-01-05 13:30 - 15:30
The next genealogy club meeting at the Lyon County Museum, 301 West Lyon Street, Marshall is Monday, January 5 at 1:30 PM. The genealogy group will meet to discuss how to preserve family stories. Attendees will share tips on how to interview family members and develop a list of questions to use when preserving family stories and history. Please come ready to discuss the successes and challenges you have experienced when interviewing family members. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact the Lyon County Museum at 507-537-6580.

Veterans Coffee at the Lyon County Museum
2026-01-06 13:30 - 15:30
The next monthly veterans coffee at the Lyon County Museum, 301 West Lyon Street, Marshall is Tuesday, January 6 at 1:30 PM. The monthly coffee is the first Tuesday of the month and is open to all veterans. Enjoy coffee, water, juice, and treats while visiting with fellow veterans in the ice cream shop at the museum. For more information, contact the Lyon County Museum at 507-537-6580.

Genealogy Club at the Lyon County Museum
2026-02-02 13:30 - 15:00
The next genealogy club meeting at the Lyon County Museum, 301 West Lyon Street, Marshall is Monday, February 2 at 1:30 PM. The genealogy club is open to anyone interested in learning and visiting with others on family history research. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact the Lyon County Museum at 507-537-6580.

Veterans Coffee at the Lyon County Museum
2026-02-03 13:30 - 15:00
The next monthly veterans coffee at the Lyon County Museum, 301 West Lyon Street, Marshall is Tuesday, February 3 at 1:30 PM. The monthly coffee is the first Tuesday of the month and is open to all veterans. Enjoy coffee, water, juice, and treats while visiting with fellow veterans in the ice cream shop at the museum. For more information, contact the Lyon County Museum at 507-537-6580.

Tea and Sweets at the Lyon County Museum
2026-02-14 13:00 - 16:00
Tea and Sweets at the Lyon County Museum, 301 West Lyon Street, Marshall is on Saturday, February 14 from 1:00-4:00 PM. While enjoying tea, lemonade, and sweets, you can make vintage Valentines. Design ideas and supplies will be set out to create old-fashioned Valentines. Tea and Sweets is free will donation. For more information, contact the Lyon County Museum at 507-537-6580.

Genealogy Club at the Lyon County Museum
2026-03-02 08:00 - 17:00
The next genealogy club meeting at the Lyon County Museum, 301 West Lyon Street, Marshall is Monday, March 2 2 at 1:30 PM. The genealogy club is open to anyone interested in learning and visiting with others on family history research. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact the Lyon County Museum at 507-537-6580.

Veterans Coffee at the Lyon County Museum
2026-03-03 13:30 - 15:00
The next monthly veterans coffee at the Lyon County Museum, 301 West Lyon Street, Marshall is Tuesday, March 3 at 1:30 PM. The monthly coffee is the first Tuesday of the month and is open to all veterans. Enjoy coffee, water, juice, and treats while visiting with fellow veterans in the ice cream shop at the museum. For more information, contact the Lyon County Museum at 507-537-6580.

Genealogy Club at the Lyon County Museum
2026-04-06 13:30 - 15:00
The next genealogy club meeting at the Lyon County Museum, 301 West Lyon Street, Marshall is Monday, April 6 at 1:30 PM. The genealogy club is open to anyone interested in learning and visiting with others on family history research. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact the Lyon County Museum at 507-537-6580.

Veterans Coffee at the Lyon County Museum
2026-04-07 13:30 - 15:00
The next monthly veterans coffee at the Lyon County Museum, 301 West Lyon Street, Marshall is Tuesday, April 7 at 1:30 PM. The monthly coffee is the first Tuesday of the month and is open to all veterans. Enjoy coffee, water, juice, and treats while visiting with fellow veterans in the ice cream shop at the museum. For more information, contact the Lyon County Museum at 507-537-6580.
