History Lesson #10: Fort Mackinac in Michigan

Cannons ready at Fort Mackinac

If you want to visit one of the best-preserved military forts in the country, you need to take a ferry to an island and walk, bike, or hike to the fort.  You can't drive a car on Mackinac Island.  Every aspect will take you back in time.  It sounds like a travel challenge, but the nature, views, and history make it worth the effort.  Besides learning history at Fort Mackinac, you can't beat the views.  Located on 150 foot bluffs, you look over the idyllic island and beautiful blue water.  I don't often repeat vacation spots, but this one I've visited three times - as a child, a couple, and a parent.  Each time I learn more.

If you read my article on Fort Michilmackinac, this article moves you forward in history.  You also know that you can buy a season pass that covers admission to both sites.  As a recap, the British felt threatened by having a vulnerable fort location in Mackinac along the shore, so they dismantled their buildings and reassembled the buildings on Mackinac Island.  Although the location change, the name remained the same.  

The British only relinquished the fort 15 years after Americans won the Revolutionary War.  The British captured the fort during the War of 1812.  The Americans tried to regain the fort during the 1814 Battle of Mackinac Island, but the British defeated them.  The Americans successfully occupied the fort in 1815 aft the Treaty of Ghent.

Kids enjoy view 

In the move from the fur trading to tourist island, the military changed duties and became park rangers of the second U.S. National Park after Yellowstone.  In 1895, ownership transferred from the U.S. government to Michigan State property and it became part of Mackinac Island State Park.

When you arrive, make sure to check out the schedule and give yourself a couple hours.  It's some of the interactive demonstrations and interpreter stories that make it most interesting for kids.  Take the tour.  You'll stroll along and hear new stories.  For example, internet stories tell you the government built the canteen to make the fort desirable.  Our guide told us the soldiers caused too much trouble drinking in town and the canteen kept the loud entertainment within the walls.  Besides watching riffles fire and music play, interpreters taught our entire family old fashioned games in the lawn.

I also recommend eating at the Tea Room within the fort for added historical experience and possibly the best views on the island.  The Tea Room utilizes the Officers Stone Quarters, the oldest public building in Michigan, which workers restored as part of the WPA program.  While you'll likely pay more than normal for a sandwich, part of the profit supports the Mackinac State Historic Parks.  Since the restaurant was operated by the Grand Hotel, we also gained admission to the Grand Hotel.  Grand Hotel entrance prices rose, so this deal may not still hold - check when entering.

Photo by Krenda

Teaching games in the lawn

History Lesson #9: Archaeology and Colonial Michilmackinac in Michigan

Gun demonstration at the fort

 When you think of archaeology sites, you might think of Egypt, Cambodia, or Peru.  In the United States, you'd likely think of sites in the West.  Did you know that the longest-running archaeological dig is actually in the Midwest?  It's Colonial Michilmackinac in Mackinac, Michigan and it's open to tour. 

I had visited the Mackinac historical sites as a child and recall the place as loud and exciting.  I realize now that my parents timed the visit to a special event with a reenactment.  This time we took our kids to Colonial Michilmackinac and heard a few loud bangs from gun demonstrations, but not the flurry of costumed soldiers running.  Costumed interpreters showed off their gardens and talked about crafts and trade.  The site not only has stories of fighting, it served as a transhipment center and refueling post for upper great lakes fur trade.

Photo by Krenda

The National Historic Landmark acts as a reconstructed 18th-century fort and fur trading village, taking visitors back in time to 1779 during the American Revolution.  Since my spouse has an ancestor who fought in the American Revolution with George Washington, it makes the stories even more interesting.  French soldiers constructed the fort in 1715 and they fought the Fox and later Chicksaw.  The American Indian later attack the French at he fort.  British take control of the fort in 1761, but they moved the buildings to Mackinac Island.  The British feared an attack by American rebels and the island was more secure.  They burnt remaining buildings, but archaeologists discovered well preserved walls of the underground ammunition building called the Powder Magazine.  Archaeologists have found over 1 million artifacts such as ceramics, silver, and gun parts in the past 60 years.  The dig continues and you may see archaeologists working in the summer.

Dogs on leash allowed

You can see from my photos that we had no crowd at the site.  Possibly our late afternoon/evening timing helped.  The fort stays open later during the summer, until 7PM.  You still need to arrive by 6PM.  You'll want to arrive earlier anyway.  With 16 buildings to tour and interpreter talks, you could easily spend two hours at the fort.

16 buildings to tour

Costumed Interpreters

You can follow the history tour by next visiting the reconstructed fort on the island.  We bought the Mackinac Family Heritage Pass, approximately $85 family season pass, even though we only had a week vacation in Michigan.  The pass is worth the price because it gives you admission to multiple sites and we visited 5 of them:  1) Fort Mackinac (island), 2) Colonial Michilmackinac, 3) Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park, 4) Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, and 5) Mackinac Art Museum (island).  Search my blog for stories about the other sites.

The Kings Garden