Maritime Museum to feature new steam propulsion exhibit
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
The Mason County Historical Society’s two museums, Port of Ludington Maritime Museum and Historic White Pine Village, will open for the season on Saturday, May 3.
Attendees will notice some changes at both facilities this year.
A new exhibit titled “The Age of Steam” has replaced the long-standing shipwreck exhibit. The exhibit includes a variety of 14 hand-crafted wooden model replicas of famous Great Lakes steamships built by Ken Jilbert of Manistee and donated to the MCHS by collector Leonard Carlson of Illinois who donated the collection.
Jerry Knapp of Spaces to Experiences installs the steam propulsion exhibit.
The models examine the advancement of steam propulsion on the Great Lakes and how ship design evolved over the decades.
“This collection of steamship models not only represents the evolution of steam propulsion on the Great Lakes but also exemplifies years of craftsmanship by the artist, Mr. Jilbert,” said Rebecca Berringer, executive director of the MCHS. “This is an era of shipping that, with the exemption of the carferry exhibit, we were lacking in the museum. We believe that museum attendees are going to really enjoy this new space.”
White Pine Village attendees will notice some aesthetic changes when they visit this season. Two non-historic buildings have been razed, including one building located on the northeast corner of the Village’s property.
“As we approach the Village’s 50th anniversary, that will take place next year, it’s been the goal of the Society and its Board of Directors to make the facility more inviting,” Berringer said. “The old house located near the village’s entrance, and a structure beyond repair on the west side of the property will allow for not only a more pleasant visitor experience but more parking as well.”
Both museums will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 3. Entrance is 25 percent off opening day.
The Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, located at 217 S. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington, will be open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Tuesday, May 27 when it will be open Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Historic White Pine Village, located at 1687 S. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington, will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with last admission at 3:30 p.m.
The Mason County Historical Society building and the Mason County Emporium and Sweet Shoppe, located at 130 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington, is open Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Mason County Historical Society is a non-profit charitable organization, founded in 1937, that operates the Rose Hawley Archives, Mason County Emporium and Sweet Shoppe, Historic White Pine Village and Port of Ludington Maritime Museum. Learn more at masoncountymihistory.org.
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