MASON, Mich. (WILX) – Tucked away in downtown Mason is the Mason Area Historical Museum, where the historical society meets every month – except winter – to learn about history on Thursdays and invite a special guest: Jack Cook, who collects presidential memorabilia.

“Every president is a part of US history, so I consider these presidents part of history. For me it was just a fascinating hobby,” said Jack Cook.

Cook grew up in Dansville. He says he never believed a kid from such a small town could be invited into so many big rooms with such important people.

“My most memorable experience was really visiting the Oval Office. Walking into a room where there were people from all over the world, heads of state, presidents, just standing in that room, my wife and I from Dansville, Michigan, was quite an exhilarating experience. I really struggled to breathe,” Cook said.

Among the thousands of items he owns is a piece of cake from the 1989 Presidential Inauguration Ball. It has retained its shape after all these years, but is still not Cook’s favorite piece.

“A photograph I took of Richard Nixon that I show here is a photograph. I was standing right next to him, I took it and brought it to him, and he kept a copy, signed another one and gave it to me,” Cook said.

Charles Herrick, president of the Mason Area Historical Society, says connecting to history will lead to a stronger future.

“We are proud of this museum, and not every community of this size has a museum of this size,” Herrick said.

You can donate to the local museum here.

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