Fort Mackinac Celebration

On June 15, 1958 the revenue bond-financed Fort Mackinac museum opened to the public for the first time, a success celebrated at the time with “little fanfare,” according to Dr. Eugene Petersen in Inside Mackinac. Dr. Petersen, the parks’ first director, had worked fast and furiously to have the museum opened by the date set by W. Stewart Woodfill, Mackinac Island State Park Commission chairman and owner of Grand Hotel.

 

On June 15, 2008 Mackinac State Historic Parks will celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the Fort Mackinac museum, and this time we are celebrating with lots of “fanfare” and excitement!  After all, our visitors deserve it. They have been coming to Fort Mackinac for 50 years, nearly 10.5 million in all, and this celebration is for them.

 

The celebration will be held inside Fort Mackinac, which overlooks Main Street on Mackinac Island.

 

Coinciding with the famed Mackinac Island lilac festival, the celebration of the opening of Fort Mackinac will have many festivities, including:

 

 

Three bands, which are also participating in the lilac grand parade, will each hold 15-minute concerts on the parade grounds. Guests can enjoy the bands from the Soldiers’ Barracks porch. In the event of heavy rain, the concert will be moved to the Post Commissary. This is a rain or shine event!  We hope to see you there.