Usually, it is meant in a complimentary way and is a great praise. The horse race with Lightening winning by a foot was one for the ages. It means it was an unusual and outstanding horse race.

more information would be helpful. In English, the context of the wording is everything. "One for the ages" can mean different things in different contexts or settings.

One would seldom say "from history to future". One would more likely say "in the history (of).

It is commendatory. it means something is extremely rare and memorable for all time.