Tours of Marsh Homestead announced

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The historic Marsh family Homestead will be open for public tours this Sunday, April 1, at 3 and 4 p.m. Anyone interested in learning more about the history of The Marsh Foundation and seeing the home where George, Hilinda and Katie lived, is welcome to attend.

Ron Bagley, former director of The Marsh Foundation, will direct the tours, which are free and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Tours will last approximately 30 minutes.

The home itself was completed in 1865 and has been a visual icon in Van Wert ever since. The interior has been preserved to look much like it did when the Marsh family occupied it in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The tours are being held in conjunction with the Living the Legacy event. At 2 p.m. on April 1, the First United Methodist Senior Choir will perform in The Marsh Auditorium. The talented choir will cap off a month-long program on The Marsh campus entitled “Homeless and Hungry: Becoming Part of the Solution”. The entire day’s events are designed to honor the legacy of the Marsh family.

Admission to the concert is free, with the donation of non-perishable food items. All items collected will then be donated to Van Wert area food banks.

Serving children and families since 1922, The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children’s services agency that provides behavioral treatment in a variety of settings. Services include group homes, treatment and family foster care, an intensive treatment program and independent living.

Located in Van Wert, the organization’s group homes are licensed for up to 30 children ages 7-17, offers an on-campus school for grades 2-12 and provides a variety of clinical services to group home residents, foster children and community members.

The mission of The Marsh Foundation is to inspire hope, to teach and to care for children and families. For more information about The Marsh, visit www.marshfoundation.org. For more information about the Homestead tours or concert, contact Dawn Berryman at 419.238.1695, extension 233.