About Us

The purpose of the Marshall Historical Society is to Preserve, Protect and Promote Marshall’s heritage. The Socieyt owns three museums: the Honolulu House, the Marshall Historical Museum, 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 tours for groups of any size.

The Marshall Historical Society was founded in the 1960s. 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 structures: the Grand Army of the Republic Hall (now the Marshall Historical Museum) and Capitol Hill School. Restoration and maintenance of the three museums owned by the Marshall Historical Society continues under the guidance of the Board of Trustees.