Emily Ward established the Newport Academy about 1845 to provide educational opportunities for area children. This structure, erected in 1847, was one of the first school buildings in the community and has served many different purposes since then.

Built-in 1884 at a cost of $12,300, this edifice has served continuously as the seat of local government. Marine City was incorporated as the village of Marine in 1865.

Holy Cross Parish has remained in continuous use and service to the people for over 150 years, and with it is much history.

The cemetery is reminiscent of Victorian-era perpetual care lawn cemeteries. A draped obelisk and a pedestaled larger-than-life-size maiden holding a bouquet of flowers exemplify monuments popular during this period. Renamed Woodlawn Cemetery in 1901.

A frame school, built on the site prior to 1853, was replaced by this brick school around 1873. It was one of three mid-nineteenth-century schools in the township and is the only one remaining.

Our Museum started out as the Newport Academy, founded by Emily Ward, built in 1847 by her brother Eber Brock Ward. The original location was on the northwest corner of South Main Street and Washington Street, in Newport (Newport was later changed to Marine City).

Captain David Lester’s most notable contribution to the nautical history of the great lakes was the launching of the VH Ketchum which his shipyard built. On April 16th, 1874, when it was launched at Marine City, it was the largest ship on the Great Lakes at that time. Today the VH Ketchum is still the Flag Ship of the Interlake Steamship Company, Richmond, Ohio, and an oil painting of the vessel hangs in their boardroom.