There’s a certain magic to the past, and the team at Historic White Pine Village in Ludington knows that. Step back in time at the late 19th-century pioneer village.
Historic White Pine Village
The village is located just off Lakeshore Drive south of downtown Ludington (1687 S Lakeshore Dr.). Admission costs $9 for seniors, $10 for adults, and $7 for children ages 6–17. Children 5 and under get in free.
The village is open from Saturday, May 5 through Saturday, October 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The last admission is sold at 3:30 p.m. since tours last about 2 hours. (P.S. You can get ice cream at the Pere Marquette Town Hall Memorial Day through Labor Day.)
New! Steam locomotive Exhibit
This summer, the Mason County Historical Society purchased a retired steam locomotive built in 1924. It was refurbished and renamed the Mason & Oceana Railroad (the railroad operated from 1886 to 1909). Featuring an engine, flat car and tender car, the steam locomotive is displayed on 100 feet of railroad tracks at the village in conjunction with a newly developed Buttersville Depot building. During the 1800s, the locomotive would have been used to haul logs to the White Pine Village Mill, which is still fully operational today.
What Else Can I see At Historic White Pine Village?
Walk through time and history as you peruse the streets of a 100-year-old downtown. Just up the way, you’ll see the Sawmill Shed where shavings still fly. Stop by the Doctor’s Office to see old medicine bottles and surgical tools then swing by the General Store where they sold hatchets, hammers and shears along with staples like flour and sugar. First-person interpreters interact with visitors based on the personas of historical characters and actual settlers from Mason County. Chat about upcoming hunting trips and how many animal pelts were sold in town last winter.
The Mason County Courthouse is one of the best exhibits. Still standing after more than 150 years, it was built in 1849 by Burr Caswell, the territory’s first permanent pioneer. The creaking boards and smell of leather-bound books will make you feel like you’re about to witness an 18th-century trial.
You can even see one of the world’s first electric cars. Yep, 100 years before Tesla. Check it out in the automotive garage.
The village has 30 historic buildings for you to explore, which contain thousands of authentic artifacts showcasing the lumbering and agricultural history of the Ludington area.
School Groups
Historic White Pine Village is a must-do field trip. To schedule events for your school, click here. If you want to make a family trip, you can schedule in advance or just stop by the Historic White Pine Village offices. For more information, visit the website or call 231-843-4808.
