It shall be the duty of the society to collect books, maps and other papers and material for the study of history, especially of this state and of the middle west; to acquire narratives and records of the pioneers, to procure documents, manuscripts and portraits, and to gather all information calculated to exhibit faithfully the antiquities and the past and present condition, resources and progress of this state; to cause its collections to be properly bound and preserved; to conduct a library of historical reference, and to publish from time to time reports of its collections and such other matters as may tend to diffuse information relative to the history of this region; and to keep the rooms containing the collections of said society open at all reasonable hours on business days for the reception of the citizens of this state, without fee.