The museum has many artifacts & archived research materials to see: Area plat maps, Ravenna Tax Assessments 1883-1933, transcribed assessments 1849-1871, Ravenna Times Newspaper 1951-1974 & misc. issues, Ravenna Independant issues est. 1976, Muskegon County cemetery books, area death records, family records and much more….

The Ravenna Area Historical Society’s collection began with Ravenna’s 125 year celebration, known as “Nostalgia Days”, which was held August 6 – 10, 1974. A display of local history items was shown at the Masonic Temple on Crockery Creek Drive. This formed the core of the present exhibits which are housed at the Ravenna Museum. On March 12, 1979, a meeting was held with the following people present: Bob Poulin – President; Hesther Link – Treasurer; Arlene Owen – Secretary; Jim Drake; Joan Drake; Dan Giddings; Wally Owen; Jim Johnson; Bob Alberts, Sr.; Garnet Lindgren; and Ren Lindgren. From this meeting, on July 30, 1979, the Ravenna Area Historical Society was formed and registered with the State of Michigan as a charitable trust. The Society has sponsored several events since formation: 1991 – Quilt Show; 1992 – Ravenna Proud Days Museum Open House; 1993 – Doll Show; 1994 – Plates, Clowns and Bears; 1995 – Pleasures and Treasurers; and in 1999 – Sesquicentennial Project – Publish History Book. Ravenna Township 150 Years Compiled by Shannan J. Place, Historian, and Ravenna Area Historical Society, Formatted by Laura E. Moyer and can be purchased for $10 at the Museum and at the Ravenna Township office.