It was founded on February 11, 1858, in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the first successful burning of anthracite coal by Jesse Fell, and was originally named the Wyoming Historical and Geological Society.
By 1877, the Society had acquired rooms in the Odd Fellows Hall and was able to open its collection to the public on Friday evenings.
With the acquisition of the Swetland Homestead in 1958 and the Bishop Library in 1971, the Wyoming Historical and Geological Society reached its present stature.
It records and interprets the history, traditions, events, people and cultures that have directed and molded life within the region.
As of 2024[update], the Luzerne County Historical Society charges an admission fee of $3.00 for children & $5.00 for adults to its downtown museum and research library.