Your History Starts Here
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.
About Us
The Lorain Historical Society (formerly the Black River Historical Society) was founded in 1981 by residents committed to preserving the history of the City of Lorain at a time when the decline of the city’s once-thriving industrial base threatened to erase important community stories. Incorporated as a 501(c)(3) that same year, the organization operated entirely through volunteers until 2013, when a full-time Executive Director was hired to guide its next phase of growth.
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Since then, the Society has expanded significantly in financial support, staffing, programming, and exhibits. The acquisition of the Carnegie Center—Lorain’s historic Carnegie Library—enabled the organization to launch a $3 million capital campaign to renovate the building and establish an endowment. By the end of 2019, the campaign exceeded its goal, securing the Society’s long-term sustainability and creating a vibrant center for history and community engagement.
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Programming has grown to serve a broad audience. The Children’s History Center, established in 2018, offers field trips, camps, and educational programs for students from pre-K through eighth grade aligned with Ohio Department of Education standards. In 2023, LHS launched the Lorain Early Learning Initiative (LELI), a kindergarten readiness program for preschool children.
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The Society is also committed to telling the diverse stories of Lorain. Partnerships with El Centro and Oberlin College supported the Latino Lorain History Project, while the Lorain Black History Archives was established in 2021 to document the experiences of the city’s African American community.
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Educational initiatives such as Teaching Lorain and the Teaching Lorain Student Challenge currently serve the Lorain City School District and will expand throughout Lorain County in 2026.
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As LHS approaches its 45th anniversary in 2026, it continues working toward its vision of becoming a leader in local history preservation and community engagement.