.jpg)
.png)
Kyle Gurzynski, president and CEO of Filer Credit Union (right), and Zachary Pawlowski, FCU director of innovation, talk to Olivia Lambrix, MCHS Education & Programs Coordinator (left), and Rebecca Berringer, MCHS executive director, at Historic White Pine Village.
LUDINGTON — The Mason County Historical Society, in partnership with Filer Credit Union, is launching the Community Access Program, a new initiative designed to make local history more affordable and accessible while supporting the preservation of Mason County’s museums and historic resources.
Through the program, Filer Credit Union members will receive 50% off general admission to Historic White Pine Village and the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum. The initiative reflects the society’s goal of welcoming more people who call West Michigan home into its museums while developing partnerships that help sustain their operation and preservation.
The Pere Marquette 22 pilothouse simulator is a popular attraction at the Port of Ludington Maritime Musuem.
“Historic White Pine Village and the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum share stories that have shaped not only Mason County, but the broader west Michigan region,” said Rebecca Berringer, executive director of the Mason County Historical Society. “Through this partnership, Filer Credit Union is giving its members a meaningful new benefit and helping more people who call West Michigan home experience and connect with history firsthand.”
Under the program, Filer Credit Union members will receive half off regular general admission during the museums’ regular operating season, excluding special event days. For example, admission for two adults and two youth to both museums would be reduced from $136 to $68, a savings of $68 for a family of four.
For Filer Credit Union, the partnership is an opportunity to provide a direct benefit to its members while investing in historic preservation and the important role cultural tourism plays in the west Michigan economy.
“Filer Credit Union is proud to partner with the Mason County Historical Society to make local history more accessible to our members throughout west Michigan,” said Kyle Gurzynski, president and CEO of Filer Credit Union. “Preserving this history is an investment in the future of the region. Places like Historic White Pine Village and the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum tell important stories while also drawing visitors to the area. Cultural tourism supports local businesses, strengthens the regional economy and gives people another reason to experience west Michigan. By working together, we can help preserve these important places while ensuring they continue to benefit the region for generations to come.”
Children tour the general store at White Pine Village.
The Community Access Program also represents a model the historical society hopes to expand through partnerships with other businesses, organizations and institutions across west Michigan. MCHS is seeking additional regional partners interested in developing similar programs tailored to their organizations and the people they serve.
Those partnerships could provide benefits to employees, members, customers or other constituencies while helping sustain the museums and historic resources maintained by the society.
As a private nonprofit organization, MCHS sustains its museums through admissions, memberships, charitable contributions and partnerships. The Community Access Program strengthens that support while giving more people who call west Michigan home an affordable opportunity to experience the Society’s museums and discover their stories.
That support helps MCHS preserve historic buildings and landmarks at Historic White Pine Village; operate the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum; maintain the Rose Hawley Archives; and steward historic resources including the Ludington Murals, Pere Marquette Memorial Cross, Mason County Sports Hall of Fame and Scottville Clown Band Collection.
The society also provides hands-on educational experiences for students from 10 west Michigan counties and presents 25 to 30 educational events and festivals each year that bring Mason County history to life.
“We see this partnership with Filer Credit Union as the beginning of a broader effort to welcome more west Michigan residents into our museums,” Berringer said. “By working with businesses and organizations across the region, we can provide meaningful benefits to the people they serve while building the financial sustainability needed to care for our historic places, collections and stories.”
Businesses and organizations across west Michigan interested in exploring a Community Access Program partnership with the Mason County Historical Society can contact Berringer at rebecca@mchshistory.org or (231) 843-4808.
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.
______________________________
Please Support Local News Coverage
For generations, local newspapers were supported by subscriptions. Today, while Mason County Press and Oceana County Press remain free to everyone, the cost of producing quality local journalism continues to rise.
If you value independent local news coverage, we invite you to help sustain it by subscribing to the MCP/OCP Daily Briefing for $12 a month — about 40 cents a day — or $120 a year.
Your subscription helps support the reporters, photographers and editors who cover local government, schools, community events, sports, breaking news and the stories that matter most to Mason and Oceana counties. In return, you’ll receive the MCP/OCP Daily Briefing each morning with the day’s headlines, along with occasional breaking news and special email editions.
Monthly subscriptions are available for $12 per month.
Click here to subscribe monthly.
Annual subscriptions are available for $120 per year.
Click here to subscribe annually.
If you prefer to pay by check, mail your $120 annual payment to:
Media Group 31, LLC
P.O. Box 21
Scottville, MI 49454
Please include your name, mailing address, email address and telephone number so we can activate your subscription.
Subscription payments must be received before service is activated.
Whether you choose to subscribe or continue enjoying our free content, thank you for reading Mason County Press and Oceana County Press. Your readership—and your support—helps ensure that independent local journalism remains available to everyone in our communities.
This story and original photography are copyrighted © 2026 by Media Group 31, LLC, P.O. Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. All rights reserved. No portion of this story or its images may be reproduced in any form, including print, broadcast or electronic media, without the express written permission of Media Group 31, LLC.
As a news organization, Media Group 31 maintains published content as part of the public and historical record. Accordingly, stories are not removed after publication. At the editor’s discretion, stories may be updated or corrected as new information becomes available. Updates may be made by revising the original story or by publishing a follow-up story. Media Group 31, LLC reserves the right to modify this policy at any time. Please refer to our Use Policy for additional information.
