PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — Historic White Pine Village will celebrate its 50th anniversary on July 3 with free admission, special ceremonies, historical demonstrations and the unveiling of newly renovated exhibits.
Admission for the day has been made free through a sponsorship from West Shore Bank, allowing visitors to take part in the anniversary celebration at no cost. The event commemorates the opening of Historic White Pine Village on July 3, 1976, during the nation’s Bicentennial, and also ties into this year’s observance of America’s 250th anniversary.
“We wanted this celebration to be a gift to the community,” Mason County Historical Society Executive Director Rebecca Berringer said in a press release. “Because of West Shore Bank’s support, families, residents, and visitors alike will be able to enjoy the day without the barrier of admission costs. Their investment helps ensure that everyone can be part of this historic occasion.”
The celebration will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Historic White Pine Village, 1687 S. Lakeshore Drive.
Activities begin with complimentary coffee and donuts from 10 to 11 a.m., followed by a 50th anniversary presentation highlighting the village’s history, recognizing supporters and community partners, and sharing plans for the future. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will follow at 11:20 a.m. to unveil newly renovated exhibits in the Fire Barn and Blacksmith Shop, including a proclamation by State Rep. Curt VanderWall.
At noon, the Custer Veterans of Foreign Wars and the West Michigan Patriotic Choir will participate in a flag-raising ceremony at the Pere Marquette Township Hall in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. A complimentary ice cream social sponsored by House of Flavors will take place from noon to 3 p.m.
Throughout the afternoon, visitors can experience living history demonstrations, including blacksmithing, candle dipping, weaving, farmhouse cooking, laundry, sawmill operations, railroad interpretation and activities at the Marchido School.
The anniversary celebration will also showcase new interpretive exhibits and Heritage Trail markers designed to better tell the stories of Mason County’s people, industries and communities. According to the Mason County Historical Society, the improvements represent the largest investment in visitor interpretation at the village in decades.
Historic White Pine Village is operated by the Mason County Historical Society and features more than 30 historic buildings and exhibits preserving Mason County’s history. The organization said the village has welcomed generations of visitors since opening in 1976 and continues to serve as one of West Michigan’s leading heritage tourism destinations.
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