In 1976, the Dayton Area Bicentennial Committee purchased the Thomas Hindman Marshall House and began renovations. The Marshall House became the first building in Armstrong County to be added to the Pennsylvania Inventory of Historic Places in April 22, 1976. In May of 1976, the Marshall House was also placed on the National Register of Historic Places. A number of local groups helped with the renovation by taking responsibility for the redecorating of one room each. Through the extraordinary efforts of many individuals and organizations, the house was opened to the public on July 4, 1976.
The Marshall House was built by Thomas H. Marshall in 1868. The house is considered historically important not only because of the Marshall Family's contribution to the History of Dayton, but also because of the building's architecture and function. The Marshall House afforded its residents many more comforts than most homes of the time, and even had running water.
The Marshall House Museum is administered by the Dayton Area Local History Society, and is open Saturdays from Memorial Day until Mid-October from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM and by appointment for tours. The Society also serves homestyle meals several times a month by reservation well in advance, and at Christmas time, the house is richly decorated with the joy of the season, and open to the public.
For more information on the Marshall House, please visit the Official DALHS Website.
Dinner at the Marshall House
Bus Tours around Smicksburg, including the shops at Smicksburg, and the scenic hils that surround Dayton end up at the Marshall House Museum in Dayton with dinner and a song. Price per person is $20.00.
To schedule a bus tour or just dinner for the group by calling Betty Calhoun at 814-257-8846. You may also contact us for more information.
Prices for dinners served at the Historic Marshall House Museum are:
$15.00 per person for less than 20 people
$13.00 per person for 21 - 30 people
$12.00 per person for 31 - 50 people
Around Dayton
The first white settlers came to the Dayton area in 1803. William Marshall and his family built the first log cabin on the property which is now the home of the Dayton Fairgrounds. The great Dayton Fair was first held in 1880. The fair has grown until today, it is one of the largest and best attended fairs in Western Pennsylvania.
The Civil War Orphans' School was built in Dayton in 1867. By 1883, over 200 students were enrolled. However, by the turn of the century, the remaining Orphans' School buildings stood empty. A commemorative marker stands in the town park on W. Grant Street by the Crawford Camp 78 Civil War Re-enactors.
Another Marshall residence still stands in Dayton, PA. The large brick home that sat on Robert Marshall's second farm is now privately owned. It was built in 1839, and was used as a station on the Underground Railroad.
The Shops at Smicksburg are located only a few miles from Dayton, and include Mahoning Cheese, Windgate Winery, and many other unique shops.
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