The Duluth Depot was built in 1892, served seven different rail lines, and accommodated 5,000 passengers. In 1973 it re-opened, housing the Duluth Art Institute, Lake Superior Railroad Museum, St. Louis County Historical Society, and five performing arts organizations.Between 1977 and 1985 it served Amtrak's Arrowhead (Minneapolis–Duluth) and North Star (Chicago–Duluth). Renovations to the Duluth Depot have been proposed to serve the Northern Lights Express rail service from Minneapolis to Duluth.

With an operating historical archive, the SLCHS takes exquisite care to curate artifacts, and works to grow areas such as the Albert J. Amatuzio Research Center to preserve and make history available.