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Please come out to honor Marie Coughlin, our Garden Tour Chair, on Arbor Day!
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Upcoming Michigan History Meeting to Hear About Mackinac Murder True Crime
When Frances Lacey was murdered in July 1960 on Mackinac Island, police found meager clues and the case turned cold. Now, after more than sixty years, could those same clues finally solve the mystery?
On July 24, 1960, the quaint charm and serenity of Mackinac Island, nestled between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas, was shattered by Lacey’s brutal death. Despite a massive manhunt and thousands of pages of police reports, her killer was never caught.
In his newest book “Grim Paradise,” award-winning true crime author Rod Sadler delves into the secrets of one of Michigan's most perplexing murder cases. His presentation at the 7:00 p.m. Mason Area Historical Society meeting on Thursday, May 9, 2024 is one you won’t want to miss!
The event will be in the Virginia Schlichter Auditorium at the Mason Area Historical Museum, 200 E. Ash Street in Mason. Admission is free and the public is invited, but parental discretion is advised.
In the past five years, the Society has hosted Rod Sadler twice before. Back then, he discussed several other true crimes in mid-Michigan’s local history. This year, he will be back to talk about the true crime that took place up north on Mackinac Island.
In his past presentations, Rod Sadler talked about his first book, “To Hell I must Go,” which is a story from the 1890’s about a deranged woman in Williamston who some might refer to as Michigan's own Lizzie Borden. He also discussed his second book, “A Slayer Waits,” about a double murder in the mid-20th century near Stockbridge.
More recently he returned to talk about his third book “Killing Women,” another true crime story. That was based on in-person interviews with Don Miller, who was convicted of raping a 14-year-old girl and assaulting her brother in the summer of 1978. While serving time for that crime, Miller admitted to killing four women.
Copies of Rod Sadler’s books will be available for purchase after the meeting’s program. The Mason Area Historical Society is a non-profit organization dependent upon memberships and donations. They ask you to please consider donating to allow events like this to continue to be offered in the future.
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The Mason Area Historical Society is grateful for Stewart Powell’s donation of 28 of Shirley Renwick’s original watercolors. Shirley created these beautiful paintings in the years before her recent and sudden death.
(See accompanying catalog and obituary links below.)
Since she was an MAHS board member and stalwart supporter of the Society and was also beloved as one of Mason’s master artists, we will use these donated items as a fundraiser for the Society through a silent auction. Proceeds will support the MAHS Capital Fund’s current project of a $35,000 roof restoration of the Mason Area Historical Museum. The MAHS is a nonprofit 501c3 organization and contributions to MAHS are tax deductible.
All items come already matted and many are framed as well.
Click below to view the photos, values, etc. of the many items in the auction:
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved MAHS Board Member and dedicated officer Shirley Renwick. Shirley was the driving force behind so many of the programs and events at the Museum and Pink School. Shirley was highly regarded by her fellow volunteers and was a pillar of our Society. We are very much appreciative of the many years of service she invested and her invaluable guidance. We will all miss Shirley very much.
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Welcome to The Mason Area Historical Society Website!
The members of the MAHS thank you and appreciate your interest in our local history.
Mason, Michigan was settled beginning in 1836.
Mason, Michigan became the county seat of Ingham County in 1840. Michigan is the only state in the country where the state capital is not also the county seat.
Mason, Michigan was incorporated as a Village in 1865 and incorporated as a City in 1875.
Mason, Michigan celebrates its first incorporation in 1865 as the year of its founding.
The Mason Area Historical Museum at 200 E. Oak Street
is open on Saturday afternoons from 1 PM to 3 PM.
Other days and times may be available by advance appointment.
The MAHS Pink School Museum at 707 W. Ash Street
is open on the first Saturday of each month
from March through October from 1 PM to 3 PM.
Other days and times may be available by advance appointment.
E-mail masonmuseum1865@gmail.com
or call 517-676-5974 during open hours to arrange.
MASON AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S
GENERAL MEETINGS AND SPEAKER PRESENTATIONS
are held monthly from March through November
Click on the
Meetings and Events
tab on the left menu bar for details!
Most meetings and programs take place in the 90-seat Virginia Schlichter Auditorium
inside our main Museum at 200 E. Oak Street in Mason.
There is no cost for admission to the museums or our monthly speaker meetings,
but please remember that we are a non-profit, all-volunteer community organization
that relies on your donations to remain in operation.
While visiting, please take a look at our many Mason history-related publications
and other thank-you gifts available at specific donation amounts.
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Click below to visit our Mason Area Historical Society Square website
to purchase books, make donations, and become a member using your credit or debit card.
You can also send a check for a donation, publication, or member dues.
Please make check payable to MAHS and send to:
Mason Area Historical Society
PO BOX 44
Mason MI 48854
OUR PURPOSE: TO COLLECT, PRESERVE
AND TELL THE STORIES OF MASON'S HISTORY
The Mason Area Historical Society (MAHS) is a group of volunteers organized as a 501c3 nonprofit and supported by membership dues, fundraisers, and donations.
Contributions go directly to programs, exhibits, communication, and facilities upkeep
needed to preserve and maintain Mason's local area history.
All financial contributions are tax-deductible.
Please consider donating to allow our many programs and events
to continue to be offered in the future!
MAHS appreciates your consideration.
Make sure to like us on Facebook!!
A Virtual Experience with our "Mason by the Sycamore" Video:
or copy and paste into browser, via Doug Klein / youtube
90-Seat Virginia Schlichter Auditorium
Mason's Latitude and Longitude Coordinates: 42.579205, -84.443581
Looking for local Mason MI History?
Looking for other historical societies? Cemeteries? Genenalogy resources?
Make sure to check out our LINKS section!!
Neelly & Neely - Mason, MI - Ingham County, MI
MAHS publications are great for personal reading or great gift ideas!!
All proceeds benefit operations for the Mason Area Historical Museum & Pink School
Feel free to browse our additional books for your entertainment
or gift ideas in our "Publications" tab!
All publications are available at the Mason Historical Museum
Limited publications may be available at our local Mason vendors:
“BLUE STARS IN EVERY WINDOW" Carolyn Cooper & Shirley Renwick
This was a common sight in so many communities across the USA during WWII. It was certainly true in Mason. You will have the opportunity to own a great piece of history in this volume, full of stories from 300+ veterans and others involved in the war effort.
Members of the Society’s Publications Committee have gathered information on Mason during World War II — transcribing veteran interviews, collecting stories and pictures from families, and putting them into this book.
Books are $30.00 each
"Margaret the Mouse and the Pink Schoolhouse"
Story created & written by Jean Bement illustrations by Chris Campbell
Check Out Some Fun Links!!
Recognize any of these photos posted on the Vintage Aerial website?
Site Copyright © 2008-2018 Vintage Aerial, Ltd. 2340 Detroit Ave., Maumee, OH 43537 | Phone Support
Mason Area Chamber of Commerce
Upcoming Events Calendar Link:
ABOUT THE CHAMBER
Mason, Michigan, is the seat of Ingham County government.
The clock tower of the historic Ingham County Courthouse is a beacon in the heart of the community and the Courthouse is the centerpiece of our historic downtown area.
The Mason area is a community of about 16,000 people (8,200 in the City of Mason) and is only minutes south of Lansing, the state capital.
The small town lifestyle and agricultural setting of the Mason area attracts residents and employers who enjoy a buffer from nearby suburban areas.
Quiet and attractive neighborhoods, our Cobblestone Village antiques district, rural charm, affordable homes, a high-quality school system, and convenient, quick access to the Lansing metropolitan area and Michigan State University are just some of the reasons people enjoy living in the Mason area.
Come home to Mason, Michigan -- Hometown U.S.A.
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MAHS publications are great for personal reading or great gift ideas!!
All proceeds benefit operations for the Mason Area Historical Museum & Pink School
CADL * FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
Mason Branch Library 145 W Ash St
Mason, Michigan 48854 (517) 676-9088
Come and check out the Book Worm Heaven!!!
Book Worm Heaven is a great used book store located upstairs at CADL Mason.
Come in to peruse thousands of books donated by members of the community.
Questions or requests outside of open hours may be directed to masonmuseum1865@gmail.com by e-mail.
Secretary Doug Klein may be reached at (517) 775-8601.
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