The mission of the Elk Rapids Area Historical Society, a non-profit organization, is to assemble, preserve, protect, and exhibit in the Elk Rapids Area Historical Museum, collections pertaining to the history of the village, its people, and community life. Our focus is especially on Elk Rapids’ role in the 19th and 20th centuries as an important lumbering and related industries, cement, chemical and pig iron smelting center, strategically located on the convergence of Elk River and Grand Traverse Bay.  As a research and educational institution, we plan to be both an active participant in the historical and cultural tourism focus of Elk Rapids and a focal point for students of all ages to participate in historical studies and activities of the Elk Rapids and Chain of Lakes Region.

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