About the Lorain Historical Society
Founded in 1981 as the Black River Historical Society, the Lorain Historical Society was established with a deep commitment to preserving the rich history of Lorain, especially during a time when the city's industrial base was in decline. For many years, the Society operated out of the Moore House property on 5th Street, serving as a vital space to protect and share Lorain’s history.
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As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Society was powered by the dedication of volunteers who were instrumental in its growth. In 2013, the Society took a significant step forward by hiring a full-time Executive Director, sparking a period of tremendous growth in financial support, staffing, programming, and exhibits. A key milestone in this journey was the acquisition of the historic Carnegie Center Lorain Public Library building, adding to the Society’s legacy of preserving Lorain’s past.
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Though the Society moved its operations to the Carnegie Center, we continue to maintain the Moore House property, ensuring the historic home is preserved for future generations. The Moore House now serves as a space to store and care for our collections, and in 2025, it will be used to offer behind-the-scenes tours and programming that provide unique insights into our work.
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In 2019, we completed Phase I of our exhibit space at the Carnegie Center, followed by Phase II in 2024, expanding our museum offerings. These two phases now house a variety of exhibits that highlight the rich history of Lorain, offering visitors an immersive experience into our community’s past.
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In 2021, we proudly celebrated our 40th anniversary, marking four decades of making Lorain’s history accessible to the community. Today, we are more committed than ever to our mission. With innovative initiatives and a focus on community engagement, education, and the preservation of local history, we are shaping the future of Lorain while honoring its past.
Our most recent strategic plan sets ambitious goals to further enrich our community’s connection to history, ensuring that future generations can experience and learn from Lorain’s storied heritage.
Carnegie Center
National Register of Historic Places
The Carnegie Center is located at 329 W. 10th Street in Lorain. It was 120 years ago that the cornerstone was laid, marking the beginning of the construction of a beautiful library in the heart of a residential district and within walking distance to the downtown area. Fast forward to August 2013 when the Black River Historical Society (now known as the Lorain Historical Society) acquired the property from the Lorain Port Authority and began a Capital Campaign to raise money for its renovation. Today, in August 2023, a brief ten years later, the Carnegie Center has been recognized by the National Park Service on the National Register of Historic Places.
Our Vision
We envision a future for Lorain where the Lorain Historical Society will be a leader in local history preservation, education, and community engagement; where children and adults are inspired by their shared and diverse history; and where people work together to create a vibrant city that is economically strong and a great place to live.
Our Mission
Lorain Historical Society engages members of the community and our visitors in our shared and diverse history through preservation, education, collaborations, and exciting programming for all ages, so that we learn from the past, develop civic pride, and transform the future.
