British History Archives - Mackinac State Historic Parks

More Models of Welcome

Last month, we shared the story of a small boat from the reconstructed sloop Welcome, which was transferred to MSHP from the Maritime Heritage Alliance of Traverse City. A few weeks later, our staff returned to Traverse City pick up two large models of Welcome. The MHA is streamlining their historic maritime collection of small craft and interpretive objects, and MSHP and the Maritime Heritage Alliance have a long history of collaborating to preserve and interpret Great Lakes maritime history.

What’s New for 2025?

As the calendar flips to 2025, the Mackinac State Historic Parks team is hard at work protecting, preserving, and presenting the rich history of the Straits of Mackinac by creating new exhibits, galleries, and tours, improving visitor experiences, celebrating a major anniversary, expanding our collections area and library, and finishing major infrastructure improvements on Mackinac Island.

Christmas Music at Michilimackinac

Music is an important part of the Christmas season for many people. What Christmas music would the residents of Michilimackinac have known?

Welcome Back, Welcome’s Boat!

In the early 1970s, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission decided to reconstruct “Welcome,” a trading vessel originally built in the mid-1770s. A small boat to accompany the sloop was also built, and it’s now back home. Read on:

Michilimackinac Archaeology 2024 Season Wrap-Up

The 2024 archaeological field season was concluded. What did we learn?

Wild Hay for the King’s Cattle

More than 240 years have passed since wooden sloops brought wild hay to the King’s Cattle on Mackinac Island. During your next visit, scan the watery horizon and imagine the scene from a bygone era. Perhaps you’ll glimpse a broad, white sail billowing in the wind. Or listen closely, and just maybe you’ll hear soft, clanking cowbells as supper makes its way across the Straits of Mackinac.

A Goal Accomplished

We’re halfway through the 2024 archaeological field season, and we’ve met one of our major goals for the season. Learn more:

A New Gown at Michilimackinac

The clothes our historic interpreters wear are a major part in telling the story of the historic residents of the Straits of Mackinac. A lot of research goes into making these outfits accurate, and here’s a little peek at one of the new outfits you’ll find in Colonial Michilimackinac this summer.

An “Unlucky Affair” at Michilimackinac: The Stabbing of Lt. James Hamilton

Ongoing research has uncovered another fascinating story at Michilimackinac: the “Unlucky Affair” of Lt. James Hamilton and his stabbing. Intrigued? Learn more:

Tag: British History

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