The Arvada Historical Society was founded in 1972 by Lois Lindstrom, who served as its first president. She was also the inspiration for The Arvada Center and organized a successful bond issue in 1974 that set it in motion.
The Society’s mission is to collect and preserve historic objects and artifacts, to disseminate information about the history of the Arvada area, to maintain a research library and museum and to encourage the preservation of Arvada’s heritage.
The Society is a completely volunteer run organization that relies on memberships, donations, fundraising events and grants for funding. Its headquarters and archives are located in the historic McIlvoy House, 7307 Grandview Avenue, along with a small collection of museum artifacts. Its programs include history related events, programs such as walking tours and oral histories and historical research.
The Society also owns and operated the historic Arvada Flour Mills, also in Olde Town Arvada, and the Belgin Cemetery, a historic family cemetery in west Arvada.