WHERE HISTORY COMES ALIVE “Federal land on Mackinac Island is to be set aside for the health, comfort and pleasure, for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.” 1873 Bill introduced by Michigan State Senator Thomas W. Ferry
O ver 80 percent of Macknac Island is State Park property, and is yours to enjoy. Whether experiencing the Island on foot, bicycle, horseback or carriage, the many geological and historical wonders are visual treasures to experience. On the bluff looking south over the Island’s busy harbor and majestic Straits of Mackinac is the stately stone palisade of Fort Mackinac. Built in 1780, it is the Island’s most formidable of sev- eral State Park attractions. Inside the Fort walls are 14 original buildings filled with interactive displays and period furnishings. Costumed interpreters guide visitors through realistic demon- strations, reenactments, programs, and tours. Daily programs highlight the changing face of Mackinac Island, the role women played at the fort, Mackinac’s time as a national park, and a look at who exactly made up the army of the 1880s. Your Fort Mackinac ticket gives full access to the historic Biddle House, Benjamin Blacksmith Shop, American Fur Company Store and Dr. Beaumont Museum. It also includes admission to The Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum, locat- ed in Marquette Park. This year’s theme is Iconic Mackinac. Step inside these buildings, and step back into time! They’re filled with authentic furnishings and historic costumed tour guides, to let you experience 19th century Mackinac Island. WHAT’S NEW FOR 2025 2025 marks 150 years since the creation of Mackinac National Park. On March 3, 1875, President Ulysses S. Grant signed the park into law, creating the second national park in the United States, three years after Yellowstone. This act set aside more than 50% of Mackinac Island for the enjoyment of the public, where they could experience the Island’s natural beauty and historical sig-
Upper Cannon Platform at Fort Mackinac
nificance. It was the creation of the of the national park that set the stage for the Mackinac Island we know and love today. This season-long 150th celebration includes a daily program at Fort Mackinac, introducing the rise of tourism on Mackinac Island and how the Island and the fort have been preserved. A new orig- inal documentary, A Pride of Purpose: The Story of Mackinac Na- tional Park, will play throughout the day in the Soldier’s Barracks Theater. Special events, including walking and biking tours into the original Mackinac National Park, will highlight the introduc- tion of the park, the soldiers who cared for it, the historic cottages and park leases, and the natural features that were deemed so important to protect. At Fort Mackinac, the 1859 Soldier’s Barracks is being renovated and restored and will debut new, exciting exhibits for the 2025 season. The theater will be moved to the restored second floor Chapel, while three new or fully updated exhibits will occupy the rest of the building. Refreshed cannon and rifle firing demonstra- tions, a new tour highlighting the Hospital Corps at Fort Macki- nac, and classic walking tours will take place every day.
2025 STATE PARK SUMMER CALENDAR
MAY 2 Opening Day: Historic Fort Mackinac 9 am 9 Opening Day: State Park Visitors Center, Milliken Nature Center at Arch Rock, Benjamins Blacksmith Shop, Biddle House, Richard and Jane Manoogian Art Museum. 10 Fort2Fort Five Mile Challenge - Mackinac State Park 9 am 17 North Woods Birds & Blossoms Walk - Fort Mackinac 3 pm 26 Memorial Day Observance - Fort Mackinac 8:30 am JUNE 6 -14 Complimentary admission to the Manoogian Art Museum 7 Opening Day: American Fur Trading Store, Beaumont Museum, McGulpin House, British Landing Nature Center 7 Lilac Festival Run/ Walk through the Island 7 Movie in the Fort: Wizard of Oz - Fort Mackinac At dusk 9 Lilacs and Warblers Birding Adventure - Marquette Park 9:30 am 10 Creating the Village of Mackinac - Windermere Pte 5:30 pm 11 Mackinac in the 1830s Tour - Manoogian Art Museum 5:30 pm 12 Mackinaw Mission Walking Tour - Manoogian Art Museum 5:30 pm 20 Summer Solstice Discovery Walk - Behind Fort Mackinac 3 pm 21-23 Civil War at Mackinac Weekend - Fort Mackinac 25 Welcome to Mackinac National Park - Fort Mackinac 5:30 pm
JULY 4 A Star Spangled Fourth of July - Fort Mackinac 3 pm 12 Mackinac's Forgotten Features Bike Tour Behind Fort Mackinac 3 pm 16 Mackinac Cemetary Walk - Meet at Post Cemetary 5 pm 17 War of 1812 Bike Ride - Meet Behind Fort Mackinac 5:30 pm 22 Cottages of Mackinac Walk - Meet Behind Fort Mackinac 5:30 pm 26 Vintage Base Ball Game - Behind Fort Mackinac 6:30 pm 29 Tour of the Turtle's Back: Ancient Mackinac - Fort Mackianc 3 pm AUGUST 9 Full Moon over Mackinac Walk - Behind Fort Mackinac 8:45 pm 20 Discover Sugar Loaf Walking Tour - Behind Fort Mackinac 3 pm SEPTEMBER 6 September Stroll to Arch Rock - Behind Fort Mackinac 3 pm 16 Mackinac's Amazing Evergreens - Behind Fort Mackinac 3 pm 18 Mackinac Cemetary Walk - Meet at Post Cemetary 5 pm 23 Soldiers in the Park, a MNP 150 Event - Fort Mackinac 5:30 pm 2025 Recurring Events: • Free Tours of the Michigan Governor’s Summer Residence - Every Wednesday June - August, 9:30 -11:30 am • Artist-in-Residence Programs on select Weds. during the summer • Shakespeare in the Park throughout August 5:30 pm
This is only a partial list of highlighted events. For full calendar, go to mackinacparks.com
22 Inside Mackinac
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