Iron Range Historical Society facts for kids
The Iron Range Historical Society is located in the McKinley City Hall
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| Established | 1973 |
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| Location | 5454 Grand Avenue McKinley, St. Louis County, Minnesota, USA |
| Type | History |
The Iron Range Historical Society is a special place in McKinley, Minnesota, that helps collect and share the history of the Iron Range area. It's like a big memory keeper for the region! This group is a non-profit organization, which means it relies on gifts and people who volunteer their time to keep it going. Their main goal is to "collect, preserve, and share the history of Minnesota’s Iron Ranges for the benefit of future generations." This means they want to make sure the stories and important items from the past are saved for kids and adults in the future to learn from.
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What is the Iron Range Historical Society?
The Iron Range Historical Society is a group dedicated to history. They run a research library where people can go to learn about the past. This society is located in McKinley, Minnesota. It's a non-profit group, which means it doesn't make money for owners. Instead, it uses all its funds to support its mission. The society depends on donations and the hard work of volunteers.
Where It All Began
The Iron Range Historical Society officially started in 1973. Before finding its current home in McKinley, the society moved around a bit. It was located in other towns like Gilbert, Minnesota, Biwabik, Minnesota, and Aurora, Minnesota. Each move helped the society grow and reach more people interested in history.
Discovering History: The Society's Collections
The Iron Range Historical Society has an amazing collection of historical items. They have more than 20,000 photographs. These pictures are organized into over 90 albums, showing what life was like long ago.
Old Newspapers and Records
You can find old newspapers and city directories at the society. These records date back to 1899 and cover people who lived in the larger Iron Range cities. They are a great way to learn about daily life and important events from the past.
Books, Artifacts, and Stories
The society also has many history books about the Iron Range. They display photos and have a few items from the logging and mining industries. These artifacts show how people worked in the past. You can also find family stories and oral histories, which are stories told by people who lived through historical events.
School Yearbooks and Maps
If you're curious about schools, the society has local high school and college yearbooks. They also have books celebrating city and township anniversaries. You can look at old Iron Range maps to see how the area has changed. The society also keeps some vital records and mine records.
Sharing History: Newsletters
The Iron Range Historical Society publishes newsletters four times a year. These newsletters are called Where History Comes Alive. They share interesting stories and updates about the society's work. It's a great way for people to stay connected with the history of the Iron Range.
Saving History: The Corsica Mine Smokestack
In 1976, the Iron Range Historical Society worked hard to save something very important. They tried to protect the last remaining smokestack at the Corsica Mine. This mine was located near Elcor, Minnesota. The smokestack was special because it was built by Cornish miners in 1901. It was the last of its kind on the Iron Range. This effort shows how dedicated the society is to preserving historical landmarks.
Visiting the Society
The Iron Range Historical Society is located inside the McKinley City Hall. You can find it at 5454 Grand Avenue in McKinley, Minnesota. It's a great place to visit if you want to learn more about the rich history of the Iron Range.
