MDL History Center
Step into Marshall’s story and uncover the people, places, and events that shaped our community. From yearbooks and maps to family records and local newspapers, the History Center invites you to explore, preserve, and share the memories that connect generations.
About the MDL History Center
Thanks to a generous donation from Laura R. (Withee) Bliss, Marshall District Library has opened the MDL History Center, a room in the library for conducting family research, seeking local history information, and starting their own digitization projects. This center contains materials from the Marshall area and surrounding communities.
What does the History Center include?
Equipment & Facilities
- Overhead book scanner for high-quality scans of printed materials.
- High-quality photocopier/scanner.
- Media Conversion Station with the ability to digitize VHS, cassettes, slides, film and photos.
- Digital microfilm reader for newspapers and archival materials.
- Book binding station.
- Family history computer station with free access to Ancestry, Library Edition.
- Seating and tables for research.
- Compact shelving and map case in the local history storage area.
Collections
- Printed historical materials such as County directories, plat maps, cemetery guides, and family histories.
- Marshall newspapers from 1838 to 2024, available on microfilm and online. Current year newspapers available in print. All papers are digitized and searchable through our online newspaper database.
- Some marriage (1836-1915) and death (1867-1933) records for Calhoun County.
- Free access to Ancestry, Library Edition.
- Our Local History Archive contains scans of items like Marshall High School yearbooks, city directories, and church records. Check back regularly for new additions!
- An extensive collection of area family histories.
- The Michigan Pioneer Collection.
- Select church records, available on microfilm.
- Calhoun County atlases and plat maps from 1858 to 2020 (incomplete collection, please call us if you are looking for a certain year).
- High school yearbooks from 1899 to present.
- Cemetery record indexes for most Marshall-area cemeteries.
- Current city budget reports and city ordinances, as well as other Marshall reports and documents.
- Sanborn fire insurance maps from 1888 to 1931 available on microfilm.
- The Homer Index, 1874-1903 (incomplete collection) available on microfilm.
When can I use the MDL History Center?
During the library’s open hours, the MDL History Center is available for researchers to use for their projects. Please stop at the Help Desk to let library staff know you would like to access the room.
In order to use the Media Conversion Station, please make an appointment with our Technology Department at 269-781-7821 ext. 2700.
If you would like one-on-one research assistance from a librarian, please contact:
What are the library’s future plans for local history services?
In addition to helping individuals research their own family history, Marshall District Library encourages residents and local organizations to use our digitization equipment to increase access to local historical materials. We aim to work with organizations and individuals to make these items accessible through the library’s website with permission from the owners. We are also working to digitize local newspapers from other rural areas in Calhoun County that have ties to the Marshall area.
The Marshall District Library History Center officially opened on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 with a ribbon cutting and open house. Nearly 150 people attended. Shown here, left to right, are Assistant Director Nate Palmer, Board Members Jerry Marshall and Mary Fountain, Librarian Chelsea Heisler, Board Member Joanne Davis, Librarian Melissa Rzepczynski, Director Angela Semifero, and Board Member Ann Fitzpatrick. In front is Bob Withee and grandchildren Levi, Rebekah, Ada, and Isaiah Withee. It is thanks to a generous donation from Bob’s sister, Laura (Withee) Bliss, that the History Center is now a reality.
Who was Laura R. (Withee) Bliss?
According to Laura’s family, her love of reading and libraries started early due to encouragement from her mother, Eleanor M. (Rushford) Withee, a former Marshall Public Library employee in the 1930s, and her father, Alton B. Withee. She was a faithful supporter and patron of Marshall District Library all her life. Upon retirement as a purchasing manager at Denso in Battle Creek, Laura devoted much of her free time to her lifelong passion: conducting genealogical research on behalf of her family and friends.
Marshall District Library received a generous donation from Laura R. (Withee) Bliss, who passed away in 2023. We are grateful that she provided the funding through the Laura R. Bliss Trust for the development and enhancement of the MDL History Center, which will be enjoyed for generations to come. The Laura R. Bliss Trust will also provide funding for future local history projects such as the digitization of rural newspapers.