Mackinac Associates
Friends Preserving and Sharing Mackinac’s Heritage
Funded Projects
Thanks to the generosity of Mackinac Associates members, Mackinac State Historic Parks has been able to fulfill its mission of preserving the cultural resources of the Straits of Mackinac and educating our guests. Over the past ten years, Associates have provided nearly $1,000,000 in support of programs. Below is a sampling of recent projects funded through Mackinac Associates member support.
Education
Each year, parks interpreters take to the road to present Mackinac’s rich cultural and natural history in classrooms across the state. Mackinac Associates have funded this project since its inception in 1988. Over the past 10 years members have provided more than $280,000 in support for this program.
Exhibits
Members support has helped to create the following exhibits over the past 10 years:
Beaumont Exhibit, Historic Downtown Mackinac Island
Children’s Discovery Room, Fort Mackinac
North Blockhouse Exhibit, Fort Mackinac
Lighthouse Exhibit
Interpretation
Visitors to Mackinac State Historic Parks enjoy a variety of living history, interactive programs and interpretive signs made possible by Mackinac Associates’ members’ support:
Naturalist programs at Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park
Interpretive panels: Arch Rock, Mackinac Geology, Mackinac Natural Series, Historic Mill Creek.
Portable audio program at Colonial Michilimackinac
Paddle with the Voyageurs interactive program
Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park Canopy Bridge
Kids’ Rendezvous play area
Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park Forest Friends play component
Publications
Mackinac State Historic Parks publishes more than 100 titles, many made possible by member support:
“Keys to the Past” archaeological treasures coffee table book
“Home to Mackinac” chapter book
“Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse” souvenir book
Robinson’s Folly vignette
Video Productions
Mackinac Associates has sponsored the production of several informational videos:
“Summer of Sports” video
Access video at Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse
Orientation video at Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park
Colonial Michilimackinac exhibit video
Shipwrecks of the Straits video at Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse
Other Programs
Mackinac Associates members have supported needed projects in every area of museum operations:
Historic structures reports (Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse)
Curriculum consultant
Collections intern
Guest surveys
Research (St. Anne of Michilimackinac)
Historic furnishings
Costumes
Park picnic tables and benches
Preservation of trees
Building preservation (Mission Church and Scout Barracks)
Collections acquisition (Dashwood Painting, DePeyster Bowl, Whistler Collection)
Signs and banners