Downtown Emporium & Archives
Visit the Mason County Emporium & Sweet Shop and explore the Mason County Research Center — a year-round destination for local history, genealogy, archives, gifts, and specialty candy.
HOURS
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
RESEARCH
Appointment Only
SEASON
Open Year-Round
130,000+
Archive Items
HOURS
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
RESEARCH
Appointment Only
SEASON
Open Year-Round
130,000+
Archive Items
Shop, Discover, and Research Mason County History
The Mason County Emporium & Sweet Shop and the Mason County Research Center work together to create a unique destination for visitors and historians alike.
Browse gifts, books, and nostalgic candy in the Emporium, or dive deeper into Mason County’s past through archival collections, photographs, and genealogy resources housed in the Research Center.
Start Your Experience Here
SWEET TREATS AND GIFTS
Shop the Emporium
An old-fashioned candy counter, Michigan-made gifts, local apparel, history books, and a warm rustic atmosphere evoking the 'big woods' era.
RESEARCH CENTER
Access Local History
Over 130,000 items — photographs, documents, maps, newspapers, genealogy files, and county histories — are available to researchers by appointment.
GO BEHIND-THE-SCENES
Tour the Archives
Behind-the-scenes tours give groups an exclusive look at the archives, vault, and off-exhibit collections — a rare opportunity to see history up close that's not available on a standard visit.
THE ROSE HAWLEY ARCHIVES
Discover Your Mason County Roots
The Mason County Research Center houses one of West Michigan's most comprehensive local history archives — more than 130,000 items telling the story of Mason County, the Great Lakes region, and the families who built them. Whether you're tracing genealogy, researching local history, or exploring a specific topic, our staff and volunteers are here to help.
The archives are rich with materials on Mason County's defining eras and industries. Research visits are conducted in the research gallery, where books and reference materials are available for browsing. All archival items are retrieved by staff from protected storage — there is no direct access to the archives themselves.
RESEARCH TOPIC CATEGORIES
Lumber Industry
Railroads
Maritime History
Genealogy
Michigan History
U.S. Regional History
Photographs
Family Histories
County Records
Newspaper
Plan Your Visit
Emporium Hours
January - April
| Monday - Friday | 10:00pm - 4:00pm |
May - December
| Tuesday - Thursday | 10:00am - 5:00pm |
| Friday - Saturday | 10:00am - 6:00pm |
Research Center Hours
January - April
| Tuesday | 10:00pm - 2:00pm |
| Wednesday | 10:00am - 2:00pm |
| Friday | 10:00am - 2:00pm |
May - December
| Tuesday | 10:00pm - 2:00pm |
| Thursday | 10:00am - 2:00pm |
| Saturday | 10:00am - 2:00pm |
Research appointments require at least 2 weeks notice.
Research Center Tours
| Tuesday & Friday | 3:00pm |
Tickets required, advance reservations recommended.
Downtown Emporium & Archives
130 E Ludington Ave.
Ludington, MI 49431
Rent Our Facilities
Three extraordinary settings — a grand heritage hall, an intimate reading room, and a 19th-century chapel — are available for weddings, corporate gatherings, and private events in the heart of West Michigan.
BRING YOUR GROUP
Group & Behind-the-Scenes Tours
Research Center tours are offered Tuesdays and Fridays at 3:00 PM (tickets required, advance reservations recommended). Behind-the-scenes tours give groups an exclusive look at the archives, vault, and off-exhibit collections — a rare opportunity to see history up close that's not available on a standard visit.
Your Best Deal:
Free Admission Forever.
MCHS membership grants unlimited free entry to all three locations, plus advance notice of events, member-only programs, and research library access.