The Historical Society was established in October 1973 and opened its first museum in the Finley Block in July 1975. The building was leased at that time and when it was sold the museum moved to a succession of other rented quarters, including what is now the Cinnamon Inn for a couple years starting in 1979. The Society returned to the Finley Block in 1987 and purchased it in 1989 in trade for four town lots the Society owned in Foote & Richardson Addition and $65,000 cash, the latter including $10,000 from the Boettcher Foundation and $20,000 from the Gates Foundation. We expended upwards of $100,000 in improvements, including grants in 1998 and 1999 from the State Historical Fund totaling $65,000, for new heating system, roof, electric wiring, handicapped accessible bathroom, and stone and mortar repair.

We are very proud of our accomplishments to date.  We could not have done them without the support of our members, the community and our grantors.  Please take a few minutes to browse through our site.  If you have any questions or suggestions for improvement, please let us know.  Thank you for visiting.