While early settlers began arriving in the Ela area in 1835, the Ela Historical Society and Museum was not organized until 1976.

The first meeting was held that year in the second floor meeting room of our current building and exhibits were kept in the basement Ela Township Auditor Mary Ann Davis lead Ela Township's celebration of the Bicentennial of the US Constitution and was elected the first president of the society. Since those days We have had a variety of presidents and moved our exhibits to the main and second floor but nonetheless this society remains a lasting memorial to the Bicentennial Era.