The natural wonders of Mackinac Island have drawn people to its rocky shores for thousands of years. There are stories of fantastic discoveries as well – including, perhaps, most enticing of all – tales of large caverns beneath the island’s surface.
We’re excited to introduce you to three of the hardest-working members of the Mackinac State Historic Parks team – Holiday, Dex, and Doug.
While American history is full of stories and legends of soldiers and civilians skillfully using their muskets and rifles in the heat of battle or some other dramatic event, the truth is that most people in the 1800s had little-to-no experience in long-range shooting or even basic firearm skills. This included the army.
Our Park Naturalist, Kyle, was recently doing some research and came across a couple of accounts of Mackinac’s lilacs dating to the 1840s. Learn more here!
Events galore within the Mackinac State Historic Parks family of sites!
One of the highlights of any visit to Fort Mackinac is interacting with our interpretive staff. Take a little peek behind the scenes on what it takes to open a site like Fort Mackinac and work here as an interpreter.
Enchanting. Relaxing. Magical. Mackinac evokes so many memories and images of a special place that has allowed individuals and families to create memories and unique experiences.
In 1878, Alfred and Alice Doherty settled in Clare, Michigan, in the midst of the state’s booming lumber industry…Their four children, Floyd, Frank, Lyda, and Alfred Jr., were raised in Clare and would grow up to love Mackinac Island.
In 1798 an article detailed plans for an exciting new museum, a “cabinet of curiosities,” located in Deerfield, Massachusetts. Which Mackinac wonders would you pick to display in this “infant museum” of early America? How about nuts and wild rice?
