The Minerva Area Historical Society originated at City Hall in 1967. Then later relocated to the Minerva Central Trust building in 1980 following the Haas family donation. Arthur and Odessa Haas, siblings, donated the funds to purchase the Central Trust Bank in Minerva to be used for the Minerva Area Historical Society in 1979. To honor their generosity. the volunteer organization decided to name the local museum after the Haas family.