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Members of the Neal and Hackert families look at the new display.
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
LUDINGTON — The Mason County Historical Society honored the Neal family and House of Flavors Wednesday during a special ceremony at the Mason County Research Center in downtown Ludington. The Neals and House of Flavors manufacturing recently made a significant donation toward the Society’s Legacy Hall project, which helps fund the purchase and renovation of the Research Center, which opened in 2022.
Bob and Kay Neal stand in front of the new display.
James Jensen, Mason County Historical Society board president, kicked off the event with a presentation on the profound impact of the Neal family on Ludington’s local history and economy. He discussed the origins of the present-day business dating back to the early 20th century. The House of Flavors ice cream legacy consists of what are now two separate companies that operate side-by-side; House of Flavors, Inc., which manufactures ice cream under the House of Flavors label along with many other labels, and House of Flavors Restaurant. House of Flavors began in 1948 as Park Dairy under the ownership of the late Robert Neal, Sr. However, the business made ice cream as Miller Dairy since 1935. The name House of Flavors was adapted in the early 1960s.
In 1962, Robert Neal, Sr. offered his son, Robert Neal, Jr. (Bob or “Scoops”) a job as the plant manager for $100 a week and 20% of Park Dairy. Bob, Jr. oversaw three employees; the small business produced a half gallon of ice cream every 10 seconds. Father and son changed the company name to Ludington’s iconic “House of Flavors” in 1964.
Read more about the history of House of Flavors here.
The Mason County Historical Society is a non-profit charitable organization that was founded in 1937. While at one time the Society was supported by a local tax millage, it has operated autonomously, without taxpayer support, for over 30 years. Its mission is to preserve and present Mason County’s rich history, inspiring visitors to appreciate and engage with their heritage. The Society owns and operates Historic White Pine Village in Pere Marquette Township, the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum in Ludington and the Mason County Research Center in downtown Ludington.
To learn more about the Mason County Historical Society, click here.
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