MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—A popular children’s museum in Marion County will be a focal point of local activities for the upcoming America 250 celebration in 2026.
The Explore-It-Torium Children’s Museum of Marion will host a series of events as part of the Marion America 250 campaign following the theme of “O-H-I-Oh What a Celebration at the Explore-it-Torium.” MARCA Industries, Inc., which owns and operates The Explore-It-Torium, was awarded a $7,500 grant to fund activities planned in January, May, July, and September of 2026.
“We are proud to be part of the Marion America 250 celebration,” said Michelle Albertini, CEO of MARCA Industries, Inc. “Our team is planning some wonderful events and activities, and we are excited to present them to the community. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase many of the wonderful groups and organizations in Marion County and celebrate both our nation’s 250th anniversary and our county’s rich heritage, which spans the past 205 years.”
To help develop ideas for programming that will be offered at The Explore-It-Torium during the America 250 celebration, MARCA Industries has turned to a familiar face in Lauren Creasap, daughter of Cindy Binns, who was the founder of The Explore-It-Torium. Creasap, a member of the MARCA Industries board of trustees, worked side-by-side with her mother to help make The Explore-It-Torium a reality.
Binns, who passed away in 2024, dedicated her life to serving the people of Marion County as an educator and artist, and was the driving force whose creativity and spirit was responsible for bringing The Explore-It-Torium to life in 2019.
Creasap said she believes her mother would be pleased to know that the mission and work of the children’s museum is being carried on and highlighted in the upcoming Marion America 250 celebration.
“Mom really loved helping people and the children’s museum was a dream come true for her,” Creasap said. “She was passionate about it and she passed that passion on to people who came alongside her to get it started. I’m glad that The Explore-It-Torium is going to be part of the (America 250 programming) next year.”
The Marca Industries’ creative team is planning programs and activities to coincide with the following themes:
- January: Marion’s First and Originals
- May: Marion Creates
- September: Marion Plays
The weekend of July 16-19, 2026, has been designated as “The Red, White, and You Weekend” by the Marion America 250 steering committee. The Explore-It-Torium will host the “O-H-I-Oh What a Celebration Birthday Party” on Saturday, July 18, 2026, a family-friendly event that is open to the public. The Explore-It-Torium officials said there will be no admission fee for this event.
In addition to The Explore-It-Torium, the following local organizations received grant funding to launch their programs for Marion America 250:
- Downtown Marion, Inc.: Taste of Time Festival
- Harding Presidential Sites: Marion’s Homecoming Picnic
- LaRue Village Council: LaRue Village 250th Year Celebration
- Marion County Historical Society: Celebrating America 250 – Moments & Memories of Marion County History
- Marion Matters, Inc.: Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Future – Marion’s West Side Welcomes America 250
- Marion Noon Kiwanis: Capture the Moment
- Marion Public Library: Making History Come Alive at Marion Public Library
- Marion Women’s Club & Home: Ice Cream Social – 130 Years of Nourishing Our Community
- Mid-Ohio Fine Arts Society: We Are Marion Created
- Palace Cultural Arts Association: Happy Birthday America Youth Summer Theatre Camp
- River Valley Local Schools: RV Celebrates America
- The Ohio State University at Marion: Echoes of Marion: A Living History Project
For information about Marion America 250 programs and activities, visit the Marion Area Convention & Visitors Bureau website visitmarionohio.com/news/america-250.
MARCA Industries, Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization that provides services for people with developmental disabilities. The organization offers day programming, workforce training, and employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities. MARCA Industries has facilities in Marion and Morrow counties. For information, go to the website marcaindustries.org, or call 740-375-6144.