Marshall Historical Society Mini-Tours

The Marshall Historical Society is a Michigan nonprofit corporation whose purpose is to preserve, protect and promote Marshall's heritage.   It owns three museums: the Honolulu House, the Grand Army of the Republic Hall, and Capitol Hill School.   As the leader in local historic preservation and education, the Marshall Historical Society sponsors entertaining events for the entire family—from the festive “granddaddy of Midwest home tours” to an intimate holiday Candlelight Walk to custom-designed tours for groups of any size. After hosting the 1961 Michigan Week Heritage Day celebration at the Honolulu House, the Calhoun County Historical Society became interested in the historic structure. Prior to that, only a privileged few had seen the interior of this intriguing building.  It was a private home when Marshall benefactor Harold Brooks purchased it in 1950 to preserve it from destruction after the death of its previous owner. Upon learning that the Calhoun County Historical Society and a group of Marshall citizens were interested in the Honolulu House, Mr. Brooks agreed to sell it for a sum that covered the expenses he had incurred in maintaining the property. The sale was contingent upon the Calhoun County Historical Society reorganizing locally as the Marshall Historical Society. The group agreed, and the new Marshall Historical Society became the proud owners of the Honolulu House. Extensive restoration work on the unique wall and ceiling paintings, authentic reproduction of carpets, structural restoration of the foundation, and authentic exterior paint colors are just a few of the restoration efforts of the Society. Since its founding, the Marshall Historical Society has acquired two other museums: the Grand Army of the Republic Hall and Capitol Hill School.  Restoration and maintenance of the three museums owned by the Marshall Historical Society continues under the guidance of the MHS Board of Trustees. When the residents of Marshall began their tradition of historic preservation more than 80 years ago—long before it was fashionable—little did they know they were launching a movement that would spread throughout the country and continue into the 21st century.