Robin Moon of Marshall looks over one of the many exhibits in the "Making Lyon County Home" gallery on the second floor of the Lyon County Historical Museum. A storyboard depicts many of the events and activities that have occurred in Lyon County over the past 75 years.

NEW GALLERY WORTH THE WAIT

Exhibits revisit county's good, bad times over past 75 years

A much-awaited "Making Lyon County Home" exhibit gallery featuring life in Lyon County following World War II is now open to the public on the second floor of the Lyon County Historical Museum in Marshall.
It was well worth the wait.
"The Lyon County Historical Society started the exhibit process for the second floor with legacy funding in 2015," said Executive Director Jennifer Andries. "The first step was an interpretive plan that led to exhibit research, exhibit design, and then finally the fabrication and installation of the exhibit."
The well-organized and informative displays were made possible through legacy grants along with funding from Lyon County, every municipality in Lyon County, foundations, businesses and individuals.
The new gallery opened on Monday, Jan. 11.
"We were able to completely renovate the space and hire an exhibit developer to work with us on taking the ideas for the exhibit and turn them into reality," Andries said.
The 15 incorporated and unincorporated cities that make up the county are included in the many displays that showcase life at home, on the farm, industries and more.
"The 'Making Lyon County Home' exhibit gallery was a long process," Andries noted, "but we are excited to finally share the exhibit with Lyon County residents and visitors.
The total cost of the "Making Lyon County Home" project was nearly $500,000. Museology Museum Services of Minneapolis was hired to lead and develop the exhibit gallery. The gallery includes exhibits from 1945 to the present day. It explores the extraordinary growth of the county during the post-World War II years.
"There are many unique and moving stories from the past 75 years in Lyon County,” said Andries. "The new exhibit gallery will be a fantastic venue to share those stories, photographs, and artifacts."
The many displays range from agriculture, entertainment, community celebrations, home life, industries, athletics, military, diversity growth, churches and schools.
The gallery includes areas for all ages. There are hands-on displays, informative storyboards, videos and much more.
"I could spend all day here," said Robin Moon of Marshall, while looking over some of the exhibits. "Everything is so well done and informative."
The grant award is the culmination of over three years of planning, designing, and applying for grants. It began with developing an overall theme for the entire museum: “Making Lyon County Home”. Next steps included the development of a research project, establishing a lighting plan, conducting oral histories, and creating an exhibit plan, according to the LCHS website.
The new "Making Lyon County Home" gallery is free to visitors. Donations are accepted.
The Lyon County Historical Museums hours for January are: Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 7 p.m.; Sunday, closed.

One of the exhibits showcases the Ghent town baseball team, including a jersey, cap, mitt and old-time water jug. Mascot photo by Scott Thoma

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