The Iron Range Historical Society (IRHS) is a historical society in northeastern Minnesota. Located on the Mesabi Range in Minnesota’s Arrowhead, it has offices in McKinley. The Society was founded in 1973. IRHS is a research library and archival house specializing in family and historical research. At present, the all-volunteer, nonprofit, charitable trust, is governed by a Board of Directors.

The Iron Range Historical Society is handicap-accessible, has photos and artifacts on display, does not charge admission, and serves the general public with moderate fees. All records and files are available for patrons to browse through. The Society holds information on all three of Minnesota’s Iron Ranges. Members receive free research time, but pay for copies of printed materials. Current hours for the research library and archival house are Mondays and Tuesdays from 10 am to 2 pm. Appointments may be made for other times.

Please visit the pages of this website to learn more about the Iron Range Historical Society.

Thank you for visiting and be sure to check out the IRHS page on Wikipedia and on Facebook, where we share newspaper articles, photos from our archives, and other items of historical interest.

Saturday at the Society

To serve members and the community better IRHS will be open one Saturday each month during the summer of 2019. In addition to access to the Society's archives, there will also be activities each month to draw visiters to our McKinley location.

Saturday, June 15: 10 AM to 2 PM

June 15th Feature

Board member and noted Iron Range artist Sandy Markovich will demonstrate and talk about some of her mining-related paintings.

Additional activities

IRHS books will be for sale and discounted for Saturday only.

The showing of IRHS' recently converted film collection will take place and coffee and treats will be served.

This event is free and open to the public.