The Grenola Elevator was built in 1909 from sturdy hardwood timbers and equipped with the latest milling equipment of the time. For many years it was the economic center of Grenola. In 1989 after the business had been closed for several years, the Grenola Historical Society was able to purchase the building and it was converted into a historical museum. In the storerooms of the elevator are displayed many of the tools, household goods, wagons, buggies, and other articles used by our ancestors back to the beginning of the community.
In the office are photos of the early settlers, Civil war records, and microfilm of the Grenola Weekly Newspaper from 1870 to1952. From these along with old atlases and Cemetery Indexes, a large file of obituaries and other items of history and genealogy have been gleaned. Many have found information to further their family research here.
In addition to the large grain elevator building, two one-room country schools have been relocated to the Museum grounds. The Pleasant Valley School had been located in Chautauqua County about eight miles south of Grenola. It contains the original furnishings of a one-room school: wooden desks, blackboard, old maps, pot bellied stove, etc.
Former students moved from the Independent School north of Grenola. It contains class pictures, trophies, etc. from Grenola High School.
