The Powers Museum serves Carthage by providing a local history museum that features rotating exhibits covering the post-Civil War period up to the 20th century.

It was a gift from Marian Powers Winchester to the City of Carthage. Before her death in 1981, she requested ?for the establishment and operation of a museum for the citizens of Carthage and the surrounding area.? She also requested that the museum be named in honor of her parents, Dr. Everett Powers and Marian Wright Powers.

Since 1988, the museum has been presenting dozens of public exhibits. Today, it is involves in certain educational projects that includes Teaching American History Grant and the Carthage Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission. It also houses its own Local History Reference Library.