Fort
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Old Mackinac
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 Fourth of July cannon firing at the upper gun platform at Fort Mackinac. Fort Mackinac InterpretationMackinac State Historic Parks uses a blend of interpretive styles to educate and entertain Fort Mackinac visitors. A rich visitor experience and site interpretation is fullfilled through public access to original historic buildings, living history programs which include visitor participation, guided tours, period settings, discovery centers with interactive technological exhibits, audiovisual programs, archaeological ruin exhibits, artifact exhibits, interpretive panels and special site events. All of these interpretive methods provide an enriching educational and entertaining experience for the Fort Mackinac visitor.  Aerial view of Fort Mackinac sitting above Mackinac Island's harbor. Historic Fort BuildingsAll fourteen historic buildings in Fort Mackinac are open to the public to experience. Fort Mackinac is one of the oldest (1781) and only fort in the United States where the public can visit all 14 buildings inside the fort. Each building is interpreted to its role and function for the military through interpretive panels, period settings, or exhibit cubes with artifacts from the building. Just strolling through this wonderful collection of intact military buildings contributes to the full interpretive experience for Fort Mackinac visitors. Soldiers of the 23rd Regiment give a concert to visitors. Military Interpreters at Fort MackinacInterpreters at Fort Mackinac portray 1880's military life. The soldiers represent the 23rd Infantry Regiment and they invite you to witness rifle and cannon firings, court martials, concerts of military music, and guided tours of the fort. A female interpreter showing a young visitor the "rose dance". Female InterpretersFemale interpreters at Fort Mackinac portray civilian life for soldiers' wives in the 1880's. They interpret daily life at the fort, children's activities, music and dancing, and they give guided tours of the fort for small groups. The fort's Wood Quarters housed the post canteen in the 1880's. Period SettingsMany of the historic buildings have period settings that represent how particular rooms in certain buildings were used during the American military period of the 1880's. The interactive database exhibit new as of 2006. Interactive ExhibitsNew as of 2006 in the Post Headquarters is an interactive database open to the public to search historic muster rolls for soldiers who served at Fort Mackinac. The American garrison under attack during the War of 1812. Audio Visual ProgramsThe North Blockhouse of Fort Mackinac houses an audio visual animatron exhibit portraying the British attack on the fort during the War of 1812. For visitors that cannot access the blockhouse they can view the program outside of the blockhouse on a monitor. Archaeologists pose by the uncovered limestone well casing in 1981. Archaeological Ruins In Fort MackinacExcavated in 1980 and 1981, the British Well ruins were preserved for a site exhibit. Visitors can look down into the well exhibit and view some of the original limestone well casing that archaeologists uncovered. A bicycle exhibit (found in the Soldiers Barracks island history exhibit) interpreting the growth of tourism on the island and the prohibition of motorized vehicles on the island. Artifact VitrinesSprinkled throughout the historic buildings in Fort Mackinac are exhibit cubes that have important artifacts interpreting the particular building, activities at the fort, or the island's history. The Never Sweats of Fort Mackinac will play the Rochester Grangers this summer. Special Interpretive EventsThroughout the summer season special interpretive events are given to present a fuller interpretation of military life at Fort Mackinac. These events include: a vintage baseball game by the soldiers, a Star Spangled Fourth of July picnic in the fort, and larger re-enactment groups that periodically visit the fort. Permanent Exhibits At Fort MackinacClick on the links below to view permanent exhibits at Fort Mackinac. Military Medicine at Mackinac |
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Plan Your Visit
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 July 19 |
