Mission Statement

The Ironwood Area Historical Society collects, preserves and interprets the heritage of the Ironwood area, and instills an appreciation of the local history through exhibits and educational programs.

Our History

The Ironwood Area Historical Society (IAHS) was first organized in 1970. It is a member supported 501(c)(3) non-profit for purpose organization. 

In the beginning, the IAHS was the driving force to get several of Ironwood's historic structures listed on the National Historic Register. These include: 

• Ironwood Memorial Building

• Solomon Curry House

• Carnegie Library

• CN&W Depot

• Historic Ironwood Theatre

The IAHS is the caretaker for the Depot. Extensive restoration work was accomplished by the IAHS to return the Depot to it's heyday status in the community.

The Ironwood Area Historical Society collects, preserves and interprets the heritage of the Ironwood area, and instills an appreciation of the local history through exhibits and educational programs.

And now..

The Society serves in all aspects of preserving and recording the rich history of the Ironwood area and Gogebic/Iron Range. At the Depot Museum you can share in that history through exhibits, collections, and educational programs and lectures. The Depot Museum features several exhibition spaces and galleries, as well as the Archive Research Library containing thousands of historic documents, photographs, books, and maps.

The Ironwood Memorial Building houses more historical exhibits from the Ironwood Area Historical Society. On the second floor is the extensive Ironwood History and Iron Mining exhibits, throughout the halls of the Memorial Building historic photos are showcased and the Memorial Building itself is a historic treasure listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Whistle newsletter is published to keep the members in touch with local historical stories and photos and informed of activities and exhibits of the Society.

Proceeds from special fundraisers provide monies for the repair and maintenance of the Depot Museum. Donations and membership dues provide funding to carry out the work of the Society.

The Depot Museum Store is a one-of-a-kind source for locally published and hard-to-find books on the history of Gogebic County, its people, and its communities. Locally designed historic postcards and notecards are also featured.