The closing of the Ceylon School in 1996 followed by the wrecking ball in 1997 prompted Ceylon citizens to realize the need to find a place to store memorabilia that was salvaged from the school before demolition. Thus, in 1997, the Ceylon Area Historical Society was formed.

Del Hiebert and Marlen Bents can be given credit for much of the tedious organizational groundwork and finding a home for the museum. Charter Board Members were: Del Hiebert, President; Marlen Bents, Vice President; Valda Fritz, Secretary; Marilyn Stelter, Treasurer; Dale Leiding and Kevin Schultze, Directors. A list of the 452 charter members is on display at the museum.

The museum's grand opening was held in the spring of 1998. In 2002, the Koenecke Room was added, funded by Donald and Fred Koenecke in memory of their parents, Minnie and Fred Koenecke. We have also gained the historic Chapel building and taken the Tenhassen Store under our wing. We continue to do all we can to preserve the area's history.

In 2007, we will be open Memorial Day 11:45 am - 1:00 pm, and the first and third Saturdays of June, July and August 1:30 - 3:00 pm. Any board member will be glad to open for visitors at other times by appointment.

Membership in the Ceylon Area Historical Society will assure you of at least one newsletter per year informing you of news from the home town. Most of all, the membership fees enable us to continue to preserve Ceylon's history. Without your support this would all have been lost. Memberships are $10.00 per person per year. Membership checks can be mailed to: Marilyn Stelter, P.O. Box 386, Ceylon, MN 56121.