Pop on over to see the largest collection of popcorn poppers and peanut roasters in the world. There’s an 1890 Patent Olsen Squirrel cage Dry Popper, 1899 Cretan popcorn machine, Ringling Brothers Circus’s 1909 Cretors popcorn Wagon, 1927 concession truck and 1908 Dunbar Concession Wagon once used by Paul Newman to promote his own popcorn in Central Park. These and more than 50 other popcorn and peanut vending antiques are restored and look practically brand new.

Open:
May 1 – October 31:  Wednesdays - Sundays from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
November 1 – April 30:  Saturdays & Sundays from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

The historic Palace Theatre located in downtown Marion was built in 1928 by renowned theatre architect John Eberson. One of 200 theatres built, it is now one of only 18 remaining. Through the years, the structure fell into disrepair. However, in 1976, a group of concerned citizens banded together to form the Palace Guard to rally community support to save the failing theatre.

Since that time, the Palace Theatre has continued on an upward spiral to become a very vital link in the revitalization of Marion's downtown district. Each year, the Palace presents a wide variety of live performances with widespread appeal and "something for everyone." Located just a short drive north from Columbus, the Marion Palace Theatre is an historic treasure in which you will want to experience the arts!

This museum home was built in 1864. It features firearm collections from the Revolutionary War, Civil War and other wars. It also displays Indian artifacts, pottery and glassware, a collection of primitive light fixtures, antique clocks and children’s toys. The interior of the home includes ornate architecture such as the fine Italian marble fireplace. In general, the museum has a very fine collection of antiques.

• Open Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Location: Washington and State Streets in Marion, OH 43302

Hours

Saturday: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Special Hours: Will open by appointment

Alexander Graham Bell has been credited with the first operating telephone in 1876 when he ran wires between 2 rooms and said his famous words. We credit a number of local volunteers with the foresight of preserving telephone history. The Buckeye Telephone Museum is a grand collection of telephones throughout the years.

Inside the home is President Harding's White House china along with the original furnishings of the home. Behind the home is the original press corps building used during the Presidential campaign. This structure contains Harding memorabilia.

The Harding Memorial is the burial location of President Warren G. Harding and First Lady Florence Kling Harding and is located in Marion, Ohio at the southeast corner of Vernon Heights Boulevard and Delaware Avenue.

Begun in 1926 and finished in the early winter of 1927, the structure is built of white marble. Designed by Henry Hornbostel, Eric Wood and Edward Mellon, the structure is 103' in diameter and 53' in height. The open design honors the Hardings’ wishes that they be buried outside.

At their deaths, the bodies of the Hardings were entombed in the “receiving vault” of the Marion Cemetery. Once the Harding Memorial was completed in 1927, the bodies were reinterred in the Memorial’s sarcophagus and it was sealed. The Harding Memorial was dedicated in 1931 by President Herbert Hoover.

Ownership of the Harding Memorial was transferred from the Harding Memorial Association to the Ohio Historical Society in the 1980s. A full restoration was undertaken in the mid 1980’s.

The memorial is also important in American History because it is the last of the elaborate presidential tombs, a trend that began with the burial of President James A. Garfield in 1881 in Lake View Cemetery. Since President Calvin Coolidge, Harding's successor, Presidents have chosen burial plot designs that are simpler, or combined those with their library sites.

A popular myth with the residents of Marion is that Harding's dog Laddie Boy is buried in the memorial with him. The dog is actually buried in Boston, Massachusetts.