Museums aim to connect visitors to county history
Staff writer
Museums in Florence, Hillsboro, Marion, Peabody and Pilsen have joined forces to encourage people to explore local history.
Stagecoach Pass, running through Sept. 6, invites participants to visit all five museums, collect stamps at each, and submit completed passports for a chance to win a night at the Historic Elgin Hotel and brunch at Parlour 1886.
The effort grew out of conversations between museum volunteers and directors looking for ways to increase visits while building stronger connections among historical organizations throughout the county.
“Most people don’t know that there are seven museums in Marion County,” Marion museum director Alecia Stuchlik said. “We were just talking, and we were like, ‘Oh, wouldn’t it be cool to do a passport and get all the museums together and try to raise awareness?’”
The collaboration benefits not only visitors but also museums that often operate with limited staff and volunteers.
“Each museum is unique,” Stuchlik said. “They’re run a little bit differently. We just have a lot of insight, I think, to share with each other and to offer support to each other.”
Peabody Historical Society president Marcia Sebree said organizers hoped the passport would encourage residents to discover attractions they might have overlooked in neighboring communities.
“We’re hoping to get more people to come to our museums and check them out, see what we have,” Sebree said. “I think there are people in the county who don’t have any idea what Marion, Hillsboro or Peabody has.”
A similar concept had been attempted years ago, Sebree said, but organizers think stronger promotion and a prize drawing could help generate greater participation.
The name was selected as a nod to the county’s early history and the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebration.
“We wanted to go with Stagecoach because it’s more reflecting to the 250 years of the United States,” Sebree said.
In addition to museum visits, participating businesses have provided coupons included in a passport booklet. Organizers hope the effort encourages travelers to spend time in local shops and restaurants while visiting museums across the county.
Museums and businesses have been asked to track passport use and coupon redemptions. Organizers plan to use that information to gauge the program’s effectiveness.
“I hope that they get to see just how varied the history is and just how unique each community is in Marion County,” Stuchlik said. “I think it’s easy to assume that all small towns are the same. But there’s actually a really rich cultural heritage and identity in each town.”
During the first weekend, the Harvey House museum in Florence reported strong attendance, with visitors arriving with passports in hand.