Mason County Emporium and Sweets Shop

03/18/2025

We are in search of Mason County school yearbooks to add to the Rose Hawley Memorial Archives. We are looking for yearbooks from all era including recent years. You may drop them off at the Mason County Historical Society, 130 E. Ludington Ave. Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. We ask that donors fill out a deed of gift form.

03/15/2025

What a great day for an Irish Jog (5k/10k) in Downtown Ludington! Thank you for another wonderful run!

03/12/2025

03/12/2025

03/11/2025

Our next winter speaker series is March 13th! Discover how Scottville got its name. The event starts at 7pm

03/09/2025

S.S. Badger: Lake Michigan Carferry 🛳

History Saturday

The SS Badger was built in 1953. Until 1990, its primary cargo was railcars (thus the name carferry). Since 1992 the Badger's primary purpose has been to transport passengers, automobiles and commercial vehicles between Ludington, Michigan and Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

This photo shows the railcars being loaded onto the Badger at No. 3 Slip in Ludington (its current home dock is No. 2). The apron that leads up to the ship was built in 1930 and is currently being replaced, after serving the boats for 94 years. Notice another carferry in the background in No. 1 Slip, which no longer exists.

The SS Badger is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is also recognized by the Wisconsin Historical Commission and Michigan Historical Commission as a registered historical site and its propulsion system is designated a mechanical engineering landmark by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Additionally, it is an official part of US 10 linking Michigan and Wisconsin. When you ride the Badger you are experiencing history.

The 2025 sailing season begins Friday, May 16. To reserve tickets visit ssbadger.com or call 800-841-4243 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (ET).

Photo from the Mason County Historical Society Rose Hawley Archives and the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum .

03/09/2025

History Saturday

The SS Badger was built in 1953. Until 1990, its primary cargo was railcars (thus the name carferry). Since 1992 the Badger's primary purpose has been to transport passengers, automobiles and commercial vehicles between Ludington, Michigan and Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

This photo shows the railcars being loaded onto the Badger at No. 3 Slip in Ludington (its current home dock is No. 2). The apron that leads up to the ship was built in 1930 and is currently being replaced, after serving the boats for 94 years. Notice another carferry in the background in No. 1 Slip, which no longer exists.

The SS Badger is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is also recognized by the Wisconsin Historical Commission and Michigan Historical Commission as a registered historical site and its propulsion system is designated a mechanical engineering landmark by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Additionally, it is an official part of US 10 linking Michigan and Wisconsin. When you ride the Badger you are experiencing history.

The 2025 sailing season begins Friday, May 16. To reserve tickets visit ssbadger.com or call 800-841-4243 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (ET).

Photo from the Mason County Historical Society Rose Hawley Archives and the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum .

03/07/2025

We are at the Heartland Travel Showcase! We are preparing for the summer travel season⛱

# grouptravel

03/06/2025

Experience 3 different locations with an internship at the Mason County Historical Society! Message us for more information and an Internship Application.

02/17/2025

Due to weather conditions, we are delaying the opening of the Historical Society until noon (2/17).

02/14/2025

Grab your last minute Valentine's Day gifts today! Discounts on candy, clothing and more!

The Emporium will be open from 10-4

02/11/2025

One of our more interesting artifacts is depression glass made with Uranium. Under a blacklight, the Uranium glows bright green. While it does give off radiation, the levels are low enough that it is not harmful if untouched.

We have other glassware (not pictured) made with manganese that admits a green tint, the manganese was used to make some clear glass bottles before the 1920s.

02/10/2025

Get ready for Valentine's day this week with 30% off candy and 25% off sweatshirts.

Checkout our clearance section with items up to 75% off, get them before they are gone forever!🛍️

The Mason County Emporium will be open from 10-4 Monday-Friday

02/05/2025

It is likely no single individual had more impact on the development of the lumbering industry along the coast of West Michigan during the 19th century than Charles Mears (1814-1895). While he did own significant timber acreage and operated early sawmills, his greatest contribution was making the channels and harbors at the outlets of the White, Pentwater, Pere Marquette, Lincoln and Sable Rivers more navigable for the early lumbering industry. This presentation utilizes Mears’ own diaries to chronicle this important work.

Purchase your tickets here: https://masoncountymihistory.org/mch-events/
Members get in free!

02/05/2025

Recipes change throughout history due to availability of ingredients and personal preference for taste. Preserving cookbooks and recipes help record these changes over time.

What's your go-to spice when making a dish? Do you have a recipe passed down from previous generations? Share with us in the comments below!

Join us for a sample of warm soup during the Downtown Ludington Sips & Soups event on Saturday, February 8th from 12pm - 3pm.
We will be offering a delicious sample from the Archives, along with recipe cards to take home.

Share with us what your favorite recipe is, and don't miss out on our sales in the Emporium while you're visiting. See you then!

02/04/2025

SCOTTVILLE — The Mason County Historical Society is partnering with State & Main Coffee to present a pop-up exhibit featuring some historical artifacts from the Scottville Clown Band. The exhibit features a bass drum purchased by band founder Raymond Schulte in 1930, “Big George” Wilson’s ba...

01/03/2025

Take 60% off all Christmas merchandise!

More merchandise across the store, stop in today to get ready for next Christmas

01/02/2025

We are changing our hours for winter, we will now be open Monday-Friday from 10-4. Contact us today at [email protected] to schedule a research appointment!

12/25/2024

Merry Christmas from everyone at the Mason County Historical Society!

12/18/2024

Come Visit us from 4-8pm tonight (12/18)

12/17/2024

Take advantage of all the sales we have at the Emporium! Grab a last-minute stocking stuffer from classic tin-style hot cocoa to Christmas tea towels and more. The Emporium will be open from 10-5 Tuesday through Saturday

12/14/2024

Stop in today for the cookie walk 🍪and Canvas🖌️ from 1-4! Meet artist Karen Moeller and view some amazing artwork.

Take 25% off everything in store, we are open today from 10-5

12/12/2024

The downtown cookie walk is this Saturday (Dec 14) from 1-4! Meet with a local artist and take a tour of our archives.

Get your tickets here! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/downtown-ludington-cookie-walk-tickets-1065817632229?aff=oddtdtcreator

12/04/2024

Give the gift of membership this holiday season. Memberships are good for one year and unlock exclusive member-only benefits including; discounts on nonfood events, discounts in all 3 giftshops, and unlimited admission to both museums, 12 free research visits, and access to our weekly enews letter.

12/01/2024

Get your tickets here! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/downtown-ludington-cookie-walk-tickets-1065817632229?aff=oddtdtcreator

11/30/2024

We will be open late today! Sales going on from 10-8pm!

11/29/2024

Stop by the Emporium today for sales throughout the store. Pick up a free cup of coffee too!

11/26/2024

We will be closed this Wednesday and Thursday for the holiday. We will reopen at 10am on Black Friday.