Mason man collects presidential memorabilia, including 40-year-old piece of cake

MASON, Mich. (WILX) – Tucked away in Downtown Mason sits the Mason Area Historical Museum, where their historical society meets every month—except in the winter—to learn more about history on Thursday, inviting a special guest, Jack Cook, who collects presidential memorabilia.

“Each president is a segment of US history, so I see these Presidents as a part of history, so it’s just been a fascinating hobby for me,” said Jack Cook.

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

“My favorite experience really was going into the Oval Office. Walking into a room where people from all over the world, leaders have been, Presidents have been, just to be standing in that room, my Wife and I from Dansville, Michigan, was an exciting pretty time. I really had a hard time breathing,” Cook said.

Of the thousands of items he has, one of his most interesting artifacts is a piece of cake from the 1989 presidential inauguration ball. It has kept its form all these years later, but it is still not Cook’s favorite item.

“A picture I took of Richard Nixon that I showed here, that’s a picture. “I was standing right next to him, and I took it and took it to him, and he kept a copy and signed a copy and gave it to me,” Cook said.

Charles Herrick, President of the Mason Area Historical Society, says having a connection to history will bring a stronger future.

“We’re proud of this museum, and it’s not every community of this size that has a museum of this size,” Herrick said.

You can donate to the local museum here.

Subscribe to our News 10 newsletter and YouTube page to receive the latest local news and weather. Looking to hire people, or grow your business through advertising? Gray Digital Media is your one-stop marketing solution. Learn more.

Copyright 2024 WILX. All rights reserved.