The Chelsea Area Historical Society is both preserving the past and looking toward the future with an eye on a new permanent home downtown, possibly with a research center.

“People come to visit places with historical character and Chelsea certainly has a lot of character,” said George Till, president of the society.

And, historical tourism is just one aspect of the plan for the future of the historical society.

Currently, the society is leasing a home on Old US 12 and has a booth at the Antiques Mall on M-52 in the Chelsea Lanes building, but the ultimate goal is to raise enough funds for a place that members and physical pieces of Chelsea’s history can call home.

Some items are part of the society’s permanent collection, while others are on loan to the group.

Janet Ogle-Mater, publishing director for the CAHS, said the society is working hard to raise funds with society events to find “a permanent home for our Chelsea heritage,” she said via email.

The CAHS Museum is open Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 20650 W. Old US-12, but the future hope is to find a home somewhere downtown that becomes a destination for people who’d like to learn more about the city’s historical past.

Saturday is one step in that direction, as the historical society hosts its annual fundraising dinner at Silver Maples of Chelsea beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Bob Riemenschneider, a historic name in Chelsea and a Realtor and developer, will be the guest speaker for the event that’s been dubbed “an evening of historic entertainment.”

The evening's festivities include wine, appetizers and dinner, followed by Riemenschneider's presentation. In addition, there will be a silent auction.

The cost is $40 for historical society members and $50 for non-members, and tickets can be purchased at The Chelsea Pharmacy, Chelsea Lumber, the Antiques Mall or at the door, Till said.

There are about 80 members of the historical society, which meets the second Monday of the month at The Depot, Till said.

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Lisa Allmendinger is a regional reporter for AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at lisaallmendinger@annarbor.com. For more Chelsea stories, visit our Chelsea page.