The roots of the Maumee Valley Historical Society goes back to 1864 with the formation of the Maumee Valley Pioneer Association. The founding members were early settlers of Northwest Ohio, who came together to protect and preserve the historic artifacts of the Maumee Valley as well as document information about themselves for future generations. Peter Navarre was the first president of the Society and served until his death in 1873. Horatio Conant served as Vice-President. The first meeting was held in Toledo, on February 22, 1865, with Morrison R. Waite of Maumee City, Ohio as the guest speaker. In 1918, the Society became known as the Historical Society of Northwest Ohio. The object of the Society was to: 1) Acquire books, printed papers, and manuscripts, 2) Encourage writing of books