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WELCOME TO THE

SAINT LOUIS AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

GRATIOT COUNTY, MICHIGAN

The St. Louis Area Historical Society is Located in Saint Louis, Michigan. This small town, population approximately 4000, 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 City Park was unveiled designating the site as the geographical center of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan.

The Saint Louis Area Historical Society is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, 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.

No part of the net earnings of The St. Louis Area Historical Society shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that The St. Louis Area Historical Society shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause of the Articles of Incorporation. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and The St. Louis Area Historical Society shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Articles of Incorporation, The St. Louis Area Historical Society shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

Upon the dissolution of the organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Circuit Court for Gratiot County, Michigan.and the Court shall determine, which organizations are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.

The Society was organized in May 1996 by interested person. 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, and old building at 119 N. Mill Street, in the main shopping area of the City. Members donated their time and labor and soon the Society boasted owning a Museum. Soon, 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 E. 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 E. Crawford Street.

The main source of income for the society is

• Membership dues
• Sale of Postcards
• Sale of donated merchandise
• Sale of Souvenirs and Fenton Bells
• Government grants
• Private grants and memorials
• Ice Cream Socials
• Bake sales
• Strawberry shortcake sales
• Plant and flower sales
• An annual golf outing

Membership in the Society is open to anyone. Membership dues for persons living in the United States are

• Individual Memberships ($15.00)
• Family Membership ($20.00)
• Friend of Society ($50.00-$90.00)
• Patron ($100.00-$199.00)
• Benefactor (over $200.00)

Member receive a monthly newsletter, published by the Society, that keeps the members informed of all activities, meeting dates and times, as well as progress of the Society. There are regular monthly programs of interest to the members.

The Museum is open each Thrusday afternoon and by special appointment.

The regular meeting of the Society is on the fourth Tuesday of every month, at the St. Louis Area Historical Society Museum, 110 E. Crawford Street, St. Louis, Michigan, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

Anyone interested in becoming a member please 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 E. Crawford Street, St. Louis, MI 48880.