The Ely Community History Society, Inc. was incorporated in July of 2003. Its mission is to preserve all aspects of the history of Ely and the surrounding rural community in cooperation with the Ely Historic Preservation Commission, and to help in the creation and ongoing maintenance of a history center and archives through planning, fundraising, volunteer coordination and public education programs.

The Society will periodically conduct direct mail fund raising campaigns for the history center and will continue to apply for grants from private foundations and from the State of Iowa, as needed to fund its projects