The regular meeting of the Society is on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. from April to September. Everyone is welcome.
The Historical Society regularly has speakers at their meetings covering history topics. The location for meetings varies.
The 2024 schedule of programs is as follows:
| May 28 | 7:00p.m. | The Depot, 110 E. Crawford | Annual Meeting, bring a lawn chair. |
| June 25 | 7:00p.m. | Campground, 8189 N. Bagley Rd. | Hear a history & tour the St. Louis Campground, which has operated for 100+ years. |
| July 23 | 7:00p.m. | The Depot, 110 E. Crawford | Detroit Lions and Detroit Tigers with historian Jim Goodspeed. |
| Aug. 27 | 7:00p.m. | City Hall, 300 N. Mill | Learn about the Wright House Restoration from Rochelle O'Shay. |
| Sept. 24 | 7:00p.m. | City Hall, 300 N. Mill | Learn more about Charles Yerington. |
The St. Louis Area Historical Society is located in Saint Louis, Michigan. This small town, population approximately 5,000, is located in the geographical center of the lower peninsula of the State of Michigan. Middle of the Mitten is the city motto, suggested by Mrs. Pat Lassen, and adopted by the City Council to describe the location of this fair city.
On December 17, 1955 a sign in Clapp Park was unveiled designating the site as the geographical center of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. At the City's 150th Anniversary Celebration in 2003, a new sign was unveiled at this spot.
The Saint Louis Area Historical Society is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
The Society was organized in May 1996. At first the members met in a meeting room in the basement of a local branch of the Chemical Bank and Trust Company. By December of the same year the Society received, as a gift, an old building at 119 North Mill Street, in the City's Central Business District. Members donated their time and labor and soon the Society boasted owning a museum. The Society received gifts of memorabilia concerning the early days of St. Louis, including many old photographs. From these old photographs postcards were made, some in black and white and others in color.
In July 1997 the Society received a government grant to aid in the purchase of a log cabin. The log cabin sits on a city lot at 119 East Crawford Street, across the street from the C.&O. train depot.
In July 1999 the Society sold its first museum and purchased our present museum and meeting place, the old Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad Station, (pictured above) located at 110 East Crawford Street.
Primary Income Sources for the Society:
- Membership dues
- Sale of postcards
- Sale of donated merchandise
- Sale of souvenirs and Fenton bells
- Government grants
- Private grants and memorials
- Strawberry shortcake fundraiser
Membership in the Society is open to anyone.
Annual membership dues for persons living in the United States are:
- Individual Memberships ($15.00)
- Family Membership ($20.00)
- Friend of Society ($50.00)
- Advertisers ($50.00)
- Patron ($100.00)
- Benefactor ($200.00)
Members receive a monthly newsletter, published by the Society, that includes all activities, meeting dates and times, and updates on the progress of the Society. There are regular monthly programs of interest to the members.
The Museum is open Thursday afternoons from 1:00-3:00 p.m. from May to October and by special appointment.
Anyone interested in becoming a member can mail a check or money order in the amount for dues stated above, payable to St. Louis Area Historical Society along with your name, address, and phone number, to Saint Louis Area Historical Society, 110 East Crawford Street, P.O. Box 273, St. Louis, MI 48880. You can also purchase a membership through their website if you would prefer to pay via credit or debit card.
For more information, email ​st.louisareahistoricalsociety@gmail.com.
Republic Truck
In 2003 the St. Louis Area Historical Society received a unique donation. Local businessman Dave Roslund gave ownership to the Society of a rare original restored 1917 Republic Truck. Originally made in a factory in nearby Alma, the truck was restored by workers at the Mid-Michigan Correctional Facility in St. Louis.
The working truck is annually used for parades and is on display at July’s Rural Urban Day, a gathering of the local farming and business communities to celebrate their cooperation. Plans are also in the works to create a display building for the truck so that it can be viewed by visitors to the Historical Society Depot Museum on Crawford Street.
Rudy Hornus, Historical Society President, Warden Paul Renico, Mid-Michigan Correctional Facility, Dave Roslund, and Phil Hansen, City of St. Louis Economic Development Director were all present when the donation of the truck was made.
Strawberry Shortcake Sale
Each year the St. Louis Area Historical Society has a Strawberry Shortcake Sale in June as a fundraiser for their projects.
This year (2024) the treats cost $5.00 each. They can be ordered at the Farmer's Market, located at 300 North Mill Street in City Hall's parking lot, on June 6, 13, and 20 from 2-6 p.m. and orders can be picked-up from the Farmer's Market on June 27th from 2-6 p.m.
You can also place orders by calling Lou at 989-463-5522 or Darlene at 989-289-9474 (please leave message including phone number).
Many volunteers give of their time to bake, package and deliver the orders and over 900 Strawberry Shortcakes were served in 2009!
Thanks to everyone who orders and supports the event and to all who chip in to help.
