The Houghton County Historical Society was founded to preserve, present and interpret the history and culture of Michigan's Copper Country, with an emphasis on Houghton County and copper mining, processing and transportation. It was organized in 1961 following the dissolution of the dormant Keweenaw Historical Society. Their facilities include the Houghton County Historical Museum, once the site of the largest copper milling operation in North America as well as the Lake Linden & Torch Lake Railroad, the one room Traprock Valley School House, the 1887 Congregational Church building now housing the Houghton County Historical Society Heritage Center, the WPA-era Leo Chaput Log Cabin and the Perl Merrill Research Center which houses the archives and genealogical facility. The Museum building was originally the Calumet and Hecla Mining Company Lake Linden mill office, and was donated by C&H to the Historical Society in 1962.