In 1937, 24 charter members organized to form the Mason County Historical Society. Since its inception in November of 1937, the Historical Society has been protecting, preserving, and presenting the history of Mason County. For over 85 years now, the Society has been operating museums that share the vibrant history of our area.

• 1937 Mason County Historical Society formed
• 1946 Society starts collecting artifacts for display at Ludington Public Library
• 1951 Society hosts displays at Church of Christ, Ludington, Rose Hawley first curator
• 1960 Mason County Museum opens at 305 East Filer St.
• 1965 Society purchases the 116-year-old landmark Burr Caswell home for restoration 
• 1973 – Caswell home restored; White Pine Village started
• 1976 White Pine Village opens
• 1986 Rose Hawley Museum open at 115 W. Loomis St.
• 1993 Research Library opens at White Pine Village
• 1996 Rose Hawley Museum opens at White Pine Village
• 2006 Planning begins for the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum
• 2017 Port of Ludington Maritime Museum opens
• 2019 Society purchases old First National Bank building in Downtown Ludington
• 2021 Works begins to convert bank building into the Mason County Research Center
• 2022 Mason County Research Center opens