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The General Store at Historic White Pine Village
LUDINGTON — The Mason County Historical Society will celebrate local history and the work of its museums during its annual gala Sept. 26 at the Stearns Hotel Ballroom, 212 E. Ludington Ave.
Doors will open at 6 p.m. for the event, which will include dinner, Mason County trivia, a silent auction, cultural experience auction items, a historical costume contest, games, music, dancing and other activities.
This year’s gala will also recognize the 50th anniversary of Historic White Pine Village, celebrating the growth of the museum village over the past five decades. The anniversary comes as the historical society approaches two additional milestones. In 2027, the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum will mark its 10th anniversary, while the Mason County Historical Society will celebrate its 90th anniversary.
While Historic White Pine Village provides the theme for the evening, proceeds from the gala support the broader work of the Mason County Historical Society, including Historic White Pine Village, the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum and the Rose Hawley Archives.
The society has grown into one of the largest privately funded historical and cultural organizations on the west side of Michigan. Support from the gala helps preserve historic buildings and collections, develop exhibits and educational programs and provide museum experiences for residents and visitors.
A focus of this year’s event will be cultural experiences that cannot ordinarily be purchased. Organizers are seeking private tours, special dinners, behind-the-scenes access and other experiences created specifically for the gala.
Among the experiences being developed are a Masters & Commanders Cemetery Tour and dinner, featuring a private cemetery tour paired with dinner, and historical presentation and dinner experiences. Other possibilities include private boating or sailing outings, behind-the-scenes tours of cultural attractions, chef’s dinners, art experiences, Great Lakes or maritime experiences, outdoor adventures, agricultural tours and private local history experiences.
The evening also will feature several special prizes. Every gala ticket holder will automatically be entered to win the Mystery Cultural Adventure Door Prize—four adult admission tickets to a remarkable 90-acre Michigan destination where American history, design and innovation come to life. With hundreds of historic treasures to discover, this prize promises an unforgettable day of exploration.A silent auction will highlight local places, artists, makers and experiences.
Confirmed or developing auction items include locally created stained glass from Art by Granny, gift baskets, an MCHS gift basket and family membership, and a swag bag and membership from the Lakeshore Museum Network.
Tickets are $75 per person and must be purchased by 4 p.m. Sept. 18 and can be purchased online here.
About the Mason County Historical Society
The Mason County Historical Society is a private, nonprofit educational organization formally organized Nov. 30, 1937. Its mission is carried out through Historic White Pine Village, the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, the Mason County Archives and Emporium, educational programming, events and stewardship of historic resources throughout Mason County.
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