Mason County Historical Society

The SS Pere Marquette, first steel car ferry on the Great Lakes

May 17, 2025

This Maritime History Blog is a presentation of the Mason County Historical Society’s Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, ludingtonmaritimemuseum.org, located at 217 S. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief The Flint & Pere Marquette Railway entered cross-lake freight service in 1875, one year after the completion of the railroad that terminated in Ludington (read related story here). In 1892,…

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Mason County Historical Society hires museum engagement manager

May 16, 2025

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — The Mason County Historical recently hired Caleb Ackerman as its new museum engagement manager. In the newly created position, Ackerman will be responsible for marketing, communications, membership management, and donor engagement. He will also be responsible for management of the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum. Ackerman is a graduate of Zeeland High School and…

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Maritime History Blog: The Break-Bulk Freighters, predecessors to the car ferries

May 4, 2025

  This Maritime History Blog is a presentation of the Mason County Historical Society’s Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, ludingtonmaritimemuseum.org, located at 217 S. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington. By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief Construction of the Flint & Pere Marquette Railway began in Saginaw, Michigan in 1859 and terminated in Ludington December 1874. From its inception the railroad’s executives envisioned transporting freight…

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Historical Society accepting intern applications

April 13, 2025

LUDINGTON — The Mason County Historical Society is now accepting applications for its summer internship program that takes place June through August. Applicants must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in a related field (history, marketing, education, and others). There are multiple opportunities available including educational programming, archival collections and operations. A stipend of $570 will be…

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Blessing of the Boats to benefit Mason County Historical Society

March 31, 2025

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief LUDINGTON — The Mason County Historical Society will be the recipient of the proceeds of this year’s seventh annual Blessing of the Boats, scheduled for Saturday, June 7 from 5 to 10 p.m. at the west end of Ludington Avenue. Founded in 1937, the Historical Society operates the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, Historic White Pine…

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