The dedication served as a tribute to the memory of Raymond Wilkinson, a well-known historian and former Shelby Mayor, who often expressed the wish that Shelby have a museum. At the time of his death, a fund was created by a group of citizens to start the museum and the city agreed to provide space. The museum started in one room provided by the city of Shelby in the current city building at 23 West Main Street. The museum immediately outgrew that space and in 1979 moved to the Sutter-Roush room at 23 East Main Street, which is also owned by the city of Shelby. The Shelby Museum of History, Inc. is governed by a Board of Directors.
Volunteers serve as museum caretakers.
The museum houses a collection of artifacts and memorabilia from businesses and the people of Shelby, Ohio. Across the street from the museum, in Central Park, is a log cabin discovered under the siding on a house being razed at 16 Walnut Street. The cabin was moved and restored in time for Shelby's Sesquicentennial celebration in 1984. Admission to the museum is free, but donations are greatly appreciated. The museum is open 2 - 5 P.M. on Sundays from May through October, except Mother's and Father's Days.