Mason County Historical Society

08/06/2026

❄️A busy winter day in Ludington Harbor, captured more than 125 years ago.

On February 2, 1900, the tug Canfield towed Steamers 2, 3, 4, and 15 through the harbor. Even in the middle of winter, vessels moved through the harbor as crews worked to keep commerce flowing along the Lake Michigan shoreline.

06/06/2026

Save the date and make room for a little discovery!

Explore Ludington’s deep maritime roots during this guided tour of Lakeview Cemetery, the final resting place of many Great Lakes captains and crew.

Historian Rob Alway leads this fascinating walk through the stories of the men who commanded the iconic carferry fleet and other vessels that defined the Port of Ludington.

Tickets are $35 for this special June 11 event.

Grab your tickets today : https://ow.ly/AaNG50YX0Ja

05/06/2026

⚓ Make It a Maritime Day in Ludington on Saturday, June 6th!

Before heading to the Blessing of the Boats this weekend, spend some time exploring the stories that have shaped our waterfront for generations at the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum.

Discover:
• The history of the SS Badger and the car ferries
• Life-saving tales from the U.S. Coast Guard
• Shipwrecks and storms on Lake Michigan
• Interactive exhibits for all ages
• One of Ludington's most historic waterfront buildings

Then continue your maritime adventure at the Blessing of the Boats beginning at 4 p.m. Bring your boat keys and join friends, neighbors, and fellow boating enthusiasts as we celebrate the start of another season on the water.

The event features live music, food trucks, refreshments, raffles throughout the evening, and the traditional Blessing of the Boats at 5 p.m.

A special thank you to Ludington Bay Brewing Company and Safe Harbor Credit Union for hosting this beloved community tradition and bringing people together to celebrate our area's maritime heritage. Proceeds from the event benefit the West Michigan Underwater Preserve, whose work helps protect and interpret the underwater history of Lake Michigan for future generations.

Whether you're a lifelong boater or simply love the history and culture of the Great Lakes, Saturday is the perfect opportunity to celebrate Ludington's connection to the water.

📍 Port of Ludington Maritime Museum open 10 am - 5 pm
📍 Blessing of the Boats – 950 W. Ludington Ave.
🕓 Festival Tent Opens at 4 p.m.

05/06/2026

❤️ Love Ludington Weekend is Here! ❤️

🌧️ Rainy weather doesn't have to put a damper on your Love Ludington Weekend plans! ❤️

While the rain may have changed some of the outdoor festivities, we're still celebrating all weekend long at the Mason County Historical Society—and it's the perfect day to explore the stories that make Ludington such a special place.

Step out of the rain and into the Rose Hawley Archives & Emporium for one of our special Behind-the-Scenes Tours of the Mason County Historical Society archives.

Go beyond the exhibits and explore the collections, artifacts, photographs, and documents that help tell the story of our community. Along the way, you'll learn not only about Mason County's fascinating past, but also discover how to preserve your own story for future generations.

Whether you're a history enthusiast, a family researcher, or simply curious about what happens behind the scenes, this is an experience you won't want to miss!

🕚 Behind-the-Scenes Tours: 11:00 a.m. & 3:00 p.m.
🎟️ Admission:
• Adults: $13
• Seniors: $11
• Youth: $9
🎟️ Tickets available at the door

🏛️ Free Gallery Tours available throughout the day.

As part of Love Ludington Weekend, we're also offering:
✨ $2.50 off admission to Historic White Pine Village and the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum
✨ 25% off storewide at all Mason County Historical Society gift shops

Come celebrate the stories, people, and places that make Ludington such a special place to call home.

04/06/2026

Well the party may be postponed but we still want to celebrate so it's an America 250 weekend! $2.50 off admission tickets to Historic White Pine Village and Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, 25% off at all 3 gift stores, and free gallery tours at the Mason County Historical Society! Behind the scenes tours will be available at 11 and 3! Get tickets online at masoncountymihistory.org/tickets

📢 LOVE LUDINGTON STREET PARTY RESCHEDULED 📢

After closely monitoring the forecast, we have made the decision to reschedule the Love Ludington Street Party to Friday, June 26.

We know weather forecasts in Ludington can change quickly, but with the amount of planning, setup, and coordination required for this event, we want to move forward with confidence and ensure the best possible experience for our businesses, vendors, sponsors, entertainers, and attendees.

The good news? At this time, the remainder of the weekend’s events are scheduled to proceed as planned, including:

⛴️ The Badger Experience
🎣 Fish On For Freedom
🥬 Downtown Ludington Farmers Market
⛵ SS Badger Open Boat Night
⚓ Blessing of the Boats
⛴️ SS Badger Shoreline Cruise
🎉 And more throughout the weekend

Thank you for your understanding and support. We look forward to celebrating with you throughout the weekend and at the Street Party later this month!

03/06/2026

Save the date and make room for a little discovery!

Explore Ludington’s deep maritime roots during this guided tour of Lakeview Cemetery, the final resting place of many Great Lakes captains and crew.

Historian Rob Alway leads this fascinating walk through the stories of the men who commanded the iconic carferry fleet and other vessels that defined the Port of Ludington.

Tickets are $45 for this special June 11 event.

Grab your tickets today : https://ow.ly/AaNG50YX0Ja

03/06/2026

Join us as we celebrate all the things that make Ludington such a special place during Love Ludington Weekend, June 5th-7th!

Visit our table during the Friday Love Ludington Street Party and the Rose Hawley Archives for FREE Gallery Tours from 6pm-9pm. Meet staff and volunteers of the Historical Society, and try your hand at interactive educational activities such as weaving on a loom and decoding nautical signal flags.

Make sure to enjoy $2.50 off Admissions to Historic White Pine Village and Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, plus 25% off all our gift shops for the weekend!

Looking forward to seeing you this weekend!



Purchase tickets online or at the museum's front desk.

03/06/2026

Photos of the Mason County Courthouse dating between 1900 and 1942 show two cannons on the building's lawn. Manufactured in the 1860s while the Civil War raged, they were not put to use until during the Spanish-American War of 1898. During that conflict they were shipped to California and used for coastal defense purposes in case of Spanish attack. By 1900, the cannon were no longer needed by the national government and ended up in Ludington on the courthouse lawn. Forty years later In the midst of a World War II scrap drive, the county board of supervisors had them removed and donated. Submitted by Society member Bruce Eddy.

02/06/2026

Don't forget to start planning for Fathers day! Have a day out with dad and watch a Revolutionary War encampment at Historic White Pine Village on June 19 & 20th.

The Military History Academy brings the 8th Massachusetts to life with interactive drills, demonstrations, and hands‑on history for the whole family.

Dads enjoy free popcorn or ice cream, plus 25% off the gift shop. Regular admission applies.

Get tickets today and save!
https://ow.ly/KRQL50YX0Az