The history of Marietta College is inseparable from that of the town of Marietta. Classical instruction in the Northwest Territory had its actual beginning at Marietta in the founding of a Greek and Latin school, the Muskingum Academy, by the city's founding fathers in 1797. Instruction in the classics began in 1800 and has been maintained continuously in Marietta since that year.
The college continues to serve as a crucial hub for cultural enrichment, hosting events and supporting local initiatives, and a community resource. The College fosters civic engagement by integrating community service into its curriculum through programs that prepare students to be engaged leaders and support community development through various partnerships.