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.
Not only do stereoviews and stereoscopes allow us to see these historic photos of Mackinac, but they allow us to see them in 3-D!
We’re halfway through the 2024 archaeological field season, and we’ve met one of our major goals for the season. Learn more:
More than 230 species of birds have been recorded on Mackinac Island and in the surrounding straits region. Here, we take a look at some detailed observations that a summer resident and ornithologist made in 1893.
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.
Ongoing research has uncovered another fascinating story at Michilimackinac: the “Unlucky Affair” of Lt. James Hamilton and his stabbing. Intrigued? Learn more:
In 2023 we accessioned 643 objects into our collection. Let’s learn about some!
Ice fishing has been an important part of the Straits for thousands of years, but dramatic scenes of net poles so numerous that they appeared almost as a forest are now nearly forgotten.
What can you expect in 2024? A lot! Read more:
