The Marshall House Museum Makeover

In January of 2022 Matt Beals and Cherrish Beals became the very lucky owners of 740 Park Place in Niagara Falls. They knew at that time that the home was on the National Historic Register and that it had been run by two prior owners as a traditional bed and breakfast, but little did they know how much more history they’d uncover and where they’d be with the house by the time we held its Grand Opening on Memorial Day.

Thanks to mutual friends they were able to connect with Tom and Louise Yots, the owners who had restored the home in the 1990’s, turned it into a bed and breakfast and completed the work required to receive approval to have it added to the National Register of Historic Homes. They were soon on a Zoom call with the Yots who shared many stories from their 17 years of living there and running it as the Park Place Bed and Breakfast. The Yots also shared the history of the house, the Marshall family who had built it and their impact on Niagara Falls and the local region.

Quickly the Beals became overwhelmed with the collection of historical pieces and artifacts, so they reached out to Fahim and Seema for some Island Ship Center support with setting up the first floor as a museum. They didn’t know where to begin and only had a month until the grand opening.

In typical Fahim and Seema fashion they hopped on the project with enthusiasm and professionalism! They assessed the artifacts and determined what should be prioritized for display and how best to display it. Seema learned quickly how to create shadow boxes and the two found amazing deals for all the materials needed, ensuring that they were spending their guest’s money as if it were their own. The end result of their hours of work and first class talents was miraculously on display for the community in time for the Marshall House Grand Opening. The cherry on top was the joy that the Marshall’s Great-Granddaughter, Ellen, had when she arrived at her family’s house that she visited every summer as a child and young adult. Ellen was the docent giving tours to those who came out for the Grand Opening. The tour she was most happy to give though was to her daughter and grandsons who had also travelled with her from Kansas to see the family home. 

Sentiments From Cherrish Beals:

“It had been a long time dream of mine to one day own a bed and breakfast, but thanks to the kindness and talents of Tom, Louise, Ellen, Fahim, Seema and my dear friend MaryJean Buddenhagen who will be serving breakfast, that dream has gone to a level I could not have imagined back in January when we purchased the historic home. We look forward to sharing it with tourists from all over the world when they come to visit Niagara Falls. Our website is nearly ready to take reservations at MarshallHouseNY.com We hope you can come visit and see it first hand!”