Wyandot Popcorn Museum

Activity Overview

The Wyandot Popcorn Museum is one of only two museums in the entire world dedicated to popcorn. This fascinating museum is located inside Heritage Hall in the historic post office building in Marion, Ohio, which is an hour's drive north of Columbus. Since its opening in 1982, the museum has displayed the largest collection of popcorn antiques in the world, including popcorn carts, machines, and wagons, which all help teach visitors about the history of one of the world's most popular snacks. Stop by for a brief tour with your family and you'll be rewarded with a bag of freshly popped popcorn!

Things to Do

• Check out the 1899 Cretors No.1 Popper, the third oldest popcorn wagon of its kind in existence. Next to the wagon, you'll find photos of the restoration process that made it shine like it originally did back in the early 20th century.
• Don't miss the Dunbar 1911 Model 950 Popcorn Wagon, which was used by Paul Newman to sell his Newman's Own Popcorn in the 1980s.
• Watch the museum's informative videos designed for visitors of all ages that will introduce you to the history of popcorn.
• Explore the huge collection of exciting Cracker Jack toys and memorabilia!

Wyandot Popcorn Museum Insider Tips

• If you really love popcorn, attend the Marion Popcorn Festival! This annual celebration featuring entertainment like parades, live music, and clowns is held in Marion each year on the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday after Labor Day.
• Ask questions! Museum employees will be happy to tell you all about how popcorn machines evolved over time, and answer any other questions you may have.
• When you're finished learning about popcorn, check out the other displays in Heritage Hall, a city museum run by the Marion County Historical Society, to learn a bit about local history.