WHERE HISTORY COMES ALIVE
Over 80 percent of Mackinac Island is State Park property , and is yours to enjoy . Whether experiencing the Island on foot , bicycle , horseback or carriage , the many geological and historical wonders are visual treasures to experience .
HISTORIC FORT MACKINAC
Upper Cannon Platform at Fort Mackinac
On the bluff looking south over the Island ’ s busy harbor and majestic Straits of Mackinac is the stately stone palisade of FORT MACKINAC . Built in 1780 , it is the Island ’ s most formidable of several State Park attractions . Inside the Fort walls are 14 original buildings filled with interactive displays and period furnishings .
Costumed interpreters guide visitors through realistic demonstrations , reenactments , programs , and tours . Daily programs highlight the changing face of Mackinac Island , the role women played at the fort , Mackinac ’ s time as a national park , and a look at who exactly made up the army of the 1880s .
Your Fort Mackinac ticket also includes admission to The RICHARD AND JANE MANOOGIAN MACKINAC ART MUSE- UM , located in Marquette Park . This year ’ s theme is Mackinac Journeys . Your ticket also gives full access to the historic BIDDLE HOUSE , BENJAMIN BLACKSMITH SHOP , AMERICAN FUR COMPANY STORE , and the DR . BEAUMONT MUSEUM . Step inside these buildings , and step back into time ! They ’ re filled with authentic furnishings and historic costumed tour guides , to let you experience 19th century Mackinac Island . WHAT ’ S NEW FOR 2023
2023 marks the 125th anniversary of the automobile ban on Mackinac Island . Mackinac State Historic Parks will mark this occasion with a special event on July 22 , complete with an
1886 Benz Motorwagen on the Island . The “ horseless vehicle ” will also be on display outside Fort Mackinac during the day on July 22 .
A special commemorative logo has been developed and will be found on merchandise available at Mackinac State Historic Parks museum stores , as well as on the license plates found on carriages throughout the Island .
A new vignette , written by former Mackinac State Historic Parks ’ Director Phil Porter , will also be published for the anniversary .
The McGulpin House , one of the oldest residential structures on the island ( built in 1790 ) and a rare and excellent display of French Canadian domestic architecture , will receive brand new exhibits for the 2023 season . The house is open June 3 – August 19 . At The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum , located in front of Fort Mackinac in Marquette Park , a new juried art exhibition will debut on the second floor – “ A Mackinac Day .”
2023 STATE PARK SUMMER CALENDAR
May 4 Opening Day - Historic Fort Mackinac 9:00 a . m . 12 Opening Day - Benjamin Blacksmith Shop , Biddle House
The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum . 13 Fort-2-Fort Five Mile Challenge Foot Race / Walk 20 Hardwood Nature Hike , Meet at Fort Mackinac , 9:00 a . m . 29 Memorial Day Observance , Post Cemetery 8:30 a . m .
June
3 Opening Day - American Fur Co . Store , Dr . Beaumont Museum , McGulpin House , and the British Landing Nature Center , 10:00 a . m . 9-18 Complimentary admission to Manoogian Art Museum 9-18 Special Fort Mackinac program during Lilac Festival 10 Movie in the Fort , Fort Mackinac , Dusk 13 Mackinac in the 1830s Walking Tour , Meet at Art Museum 17 Lilacs and Warblers Birding Adventure ! Meet at
Marquette Park 9:00 a . m . 17 Creating the Village of Mackinac Island Walking Tour ,
Meet at Windermere Point , 5:30 p . m .
July 4 A Star Spangled Fourth of July , Fort Mackinac 12 Artist-in-Residence Program , 7:00 p . m . 15 War of 1812 Bike Ride , at Fort Mackinac , 5:30 p . m . 19 Invasive Species Pull , at Fort Mackinac , 5:30 p . m . 26 Artist-in-Residence Program , 7:00 p . m . 29 Vintage Base Ball Game , behind Fort Mackinac , 6:30 p . m .
August 5 Mackinac ’ s Forgotten Features , Fort Mackinac , 5:30 p . m . 9 Artist-in-Residence Program , 7:00 p . m . 26 Movie in the Fort , Fort Mackinac , Dusk 30 Full-Blue-Super Moon , meet at Fort Mackinac , 8:00 p . m .
September 23 Equinox Audience with Forest King , Fort Mackinac , 1:00 p . m . 29 Arch Rock by Moonlight , Meet at Fort Mackinac , 7:00 p . m .
This is only a partial list of highlighted events . For full calendar , go to mackinacparks . com
24 Inside Mackinac