Do Work That
Makes a Difference
Join the team behind Historic White Pine Village, the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, and the Mason County Emporium & Archives. Seasonal positions and college internships available for people who are interested in hospitality, history, and community impact.
Now Hiring for the 2026 Season | Seasonal Positions Available
WHY WORK WITH US
More Than a Job. A Place You Belong.
The Mason County Historical Society has been serving this community since 1937. Our staff and interns don’t just show up — they become part of something that genuinely matters to thousands of West Michigan residents, students, and visitors every year.
Whether you’re greeting school groups on a History in Action Day, interpreting 19th-century pioneer life in full costume, managing daily operations across three venues, or helping catalog a 100-year-old photograph — every role here connects directly to our mission.
Work at a Landmark
Three of West Michigan’s most distinctive historic sites — each with a unique mission and visitor base
Small Team, Real Responsibility
You’ll take on meaningful work from day one — not filing and fetching coffee. Every team member counts here.
College Credit Available
Internships are structured to qualify for academic credit at most institutions — great for history, museum studies, and public humanities programs.
Beautiful Setting
Spend your summer on 12 acres of living history grounds, steps from Lake Michigan, in one of Michigan’s most scenic small cities
Build a Real Resumé
Museum operations, living history interpretation, archival management, and public programming — all highly transferable skills
Current Openings
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Guest Service Agent
Serve as the welcoming face of the Historical Society across three venues — selling admission tickets, assisting guests, handling merchandise, and providing visitor information for Historic White Pine Village, the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, and the Mason County Emporium & Archives. Part-time, seasonal. Flexibility required — includes holidays, weekends, and possible evenings.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Enthusiastically greet and assist guests upon arrival
- Sell and process admission tickets via a computerized cash register
- Assist museum store guests with purchases and merchandise
- Stock shelves and process orders
- Know all Society programs, facilities, and accessibility information
- Respond to inquiries and enhance the visitor experience
- Assist with light cleaning and maintenance specific to site
Village Interpreter
Bring Mason County’s pioneer history to life as a costumed historical interpreter at Historic White Pine Village. This is a unique, immersive role for someone who loves history, storytelling, and working with the public — including school groups. Part-time seasonal. 20 hours per week, Tuesday–Saturday. Flexibility required — includes some holidays and possible evenings.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Interpret the history of Mason County’s early settlers to visitors
- Lead or participate in tours covering fur trades, farming, lumbering, and 18th–19th century settler life
- Engage visitors in both first-person and non-first-person interpreter roles
- Participate in school group programs and special events
- Serve ice cream in the historic Town Hall as needed
- Treat all visitors as respected guests — prioritize an enjoyable and educational experience
Museum Operations Internship
Work directly alongside the Executive Director and Site Managers across all three MCHS venues — Historic White Pine Village, the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, and the Mason County Emporium & Archives. This internship gives you a ground-level view of nonprofit museum operations from day one.
While unpaid, a $ 1,000 stipend is awarded upon successful completion of the 2–3 month internship. College credit may be available through your academic institution.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Work closely with the Executive Director and Site Managers to help operate all three museums
- Assist with visitor engagement and front-of-house operations across venues
- Help facilitate field trip and school programs, including History in Action Days
- Assist in the planning and execution of special events throughout the season
- Gain hands-on experience in nonprofit museum management across multiple historic sites
Curator / Archivist Internship
Support the care, management, and accessibility of the Society’s 110,000+ item collection. Working directly under the Collections Manager, you’ll touch real archival work — not busywork — while building skills in collections management, archival processing, and research services.
While unpaid, a $1,000 stipend is awarded upon successful completion of the 3-month internship. College credit may be available through your academic institution.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Catalog and accession items into the collections management system (Past Perfect Database)
- Properly store and house diverse material types in accordance with archival best practices
- Assist with research requests, work with visiting researchers, and schedule research appointments
- Assist with genealogy inquiries
- Assist with programming opportunities and Archive tours
- Help organize and improve collection access in the archives
LIFE AT MASON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
What Working Here Actually Looks Like
Small team. Real mission. A summer you won’t forget.
Deep Roots
MCHS has served Mason County since 1937. Working here means joining a team with real community standing — and real community responsibility. The work you do is visible and valued.
Small Team, Big Role
We’re a lean organization running three distinct historic sites. That means every team member carries real responsibility from day one — and makes a genuine difference in what visitors and students experience.
A Career Launchpad
Alumni of MCHS internships and seasonal positions go on to careers in museum management, public history, education, and nonprofit leadership. The experience you build here translates directly.
Ready to Apply?
Complete this form and we’ll follow up within 1–2 business days. You can also email your resume directly to Rebecca or Michelle.
Call Us
(231) 843-4808
rebecca@mchshistory.org
Visit Us
1687 S Lakeshore Dr
Ludington, MI 49431
HIRING PROCESS
1. Apply
Submit this form or email your resume directly to Rebecca or Michelle.
2. Interview
Qualified applicants will be contacted for a brief phone or in-person interview.
3. Offer
Selected candidates receive an offer with start date and onboarding details.
4. Start
Orientation and training provided before your first public-facing shift.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Employment FAQs
Have a question not answered here? Email Rebecca at rebecca@mchshistory.org.
Do I need prior museum or history experience to apply?
No prior museum experience is required for seasonal positions. Enthusiasm, reliability, and a genuine interest in people and history matter most for the Guest Service Agent and Village Interpreter roles. For the Curator/Archivist Internship, coursework or experience in history, library science, or museum studies is helpful but not required. We train for the specifics — you bring the attitude.
When does the season typically start and end?
The main season runs May through October. The Guest Service Agent position can begin as early as April/May for setup and training. The Village Interpreter role runs May through October specifically. Internships can begin at any point by arrangement — contact Rebecca to discuss timing that aligns with your academic calendar.
Are the internships paid? What’s the stipend?
Both internships are structured as unpaid positions with a $1,000 completion stipend awarded at the end of the internship term. The Museum Operations Internship is 2–3 months; the Curator/Archivist Internship is 3 months. College credit may be available through your academic institution — we’re happy to work with your school’s requirements. Contact Rebecca to discuss.
Can I apply for more than one position?
Yes — you’re welcome to apply for as many positions as you’re interested in and qualified for. Just select all applicable positions on the application form, or note them in your resume email. We’ll discuss the best fit during the interview process.
Does the Village Interpreter role require wearing a costume?
Yes — the Village Interpreter position is a costumed historical interpretation role. Costumes appropriate to 18th and 19th-century Mason County settler life are provided. This is one of the most unique and memorable aspects of the role, and a defining feature of the Historic White Pine Village experience.
What are the work locations for each position?
The Guest Service Agent works across Historic White Pine Village, the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, and the Mason County Emporium & Archives — all located in or near Ludington, MI. The Village Interpreter works exclusively at Historic White Pine Village (1687 S. Lakeshore Drive, Ludington). The Museum Operations Internship rotates across all three sites. The Curator/Archivist Internship is based primarily at the Mason County Research Center in downtown Ludington.
How do I submit my application?
You can apply in two ways: (1) Complete the online application form on this page — upload your resume and cover letter directly; or (2) Email your resume directly to rebecca@mchshistory.org (all positions except Village Interpreter) or michelle@mchshistory.org (Village Interpreter). Either method works — use whichever is easiest for you.
Join the Team
We’re looking for people who care about this community and want to spend their season doing something genuinely meaningful. Apply today — spots fill quickly.