Mason County Historical Society facts for kids
White Pine Village farming equipment
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| Established | 30 November 1937 |
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| Location | 130 E Ludington Avenue, Ludington, Michigan |
The Mason County Historical Society is a special group in Ludington, Michigan. It's a private, non-profit organization that teaches people about history. This society runs several cool places.
These places include the Mason County Research Center. They also manage the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum. Another big part is the White Pine Village. This village is a living history museum. It shows what life was like in the 1800s. The society also takes care of the Ludington Murals. Plus, they look after the Pere Marquette Memorial Cross.
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Discovering Mason County History
The Mason County Historical Society officially started on November 30, 1937. About 40 people came together to form it. For many years, the society did not have its own building. Early displays were shown in public places. These included the City Center Building. The Ludington Public Library also hosted exhibits.
In 1951, they got space in a church basement. Then, in 1961, the society finally got its own building. This building was used to store collections. It also had areas for displays. The organization officially became a non-profit group on May 15, 1957.
How the Village Began
In the late 1960s, the society got the Burr Caswell house. This house was the oldest in the area. It was located on the Buttersville Peninsula. This house later became part of what was called Pioneer Village. In 1976, its name changed to Historic White Pine Village.
Exploring the Museums and Facilities
The Mason County Historical Society manages several sites. These places help people learn about the history of the region.
Historic White Pine Village
This village has thirty historic buildings. One of them is the Mason County Courthouse. It was built way back in 1849. There is even a steam locomotive there. The Village shows what life was like in Mason County. It focuses on the late 1800s and early 1900s. You can learn about pioneer life. It also highlights lumbering and agriculture. The exhibits have old items and records. These show how the county grew over time.
Port of Ludington Maritime Museum
The society also runs the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum. This museum is in an old U.S. Coast Guard Station. This station is a special historic place. The museum teaches about local history of the sea. You can learn about shipwrecks. It also covers car ferries and lighthouses. The museum uses digital stories. It has real old items and fun interactive exhibits.
Mason County Research Center
The Mason County Research Center helps people study history. It's also great for finding out about your family tree. This center is a key place for learning. It helps keep the history of West Michigan safe. It also focuses on Mason County history. If you want to do research, you need to make an appointment first.
See also
- List of historical societies in Michigan
