The Powell Hotel was originally the W.H.Ford Male and Female College. It was located at the site of the old high school on east Main Street. Built in 1889, it served as a co-educational college. In 1914, the building was converted into a hotel that operated until 1954, then converted to a private residence. The museum now interprets these stories through original artifacts that were found during the building’s restoration. The Newton visitor center is also located here.