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09/09/2008

Fort Mackinac Hosts Civil War Encampment

Mackinac Island, Mich. — A group of 16th Michigan Company B reenactors will bring Mackinac Island's Civil War history to life when they encamp at FortMackinac from 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. on September 13-14. The 1822 3rd U.S. Infantry will also be present.
The reenactors will recreate a little-known chapter in FortMackinac’s history, when the Union Army used the island fortress as a prison for three prominent Confederate sympathizers. Dozens of men and women will dress in the fashions of the 1860s, including the “Stanton Guard” unit, named after Secretary of War Edwin Stanton and specifically recruited to guard the Confederate prisoners; the three Confederates (named Washington Barrow, Josephus Conn Guild, and William G. Harding); and various civilians of the era.
The reenactors will combine with FortMackinac interpreters already at the fort to give presentations, including rifle firing and drill demonstrations. At 1:00 p.m. on both days, there will also be a ladies fashion show where women’s fashion of the civil war-era will be showcased.
Visitors are encouraged to ask questions and interact with the reenactors throughout the encampment.
The 16th Michigan Company B reenactor encampment is included with regular FortMackinac admission: $10.00 for adults, $6.25 for youth 5-17, and children 4 and under and Mackinac Associates free.The historic fort is a professionally restored military outpost with 14 original buildings dating back as early as 1780, artifact exhibits, and live demonstrations.
Mackinac State Historic Parks, a pure Michigan family of living history museums and parks in northern Michigan’s Straits of Mackinac, is an agency within the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries. Its sites—which are accredited by the American Association of Museums—include Fort Mackinac, Mackinac Island State Park, and Historic Downtown on Mackinac Island, and Colonial Michilimackinac, Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse and Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park in Mackinaw City. Mackinac State Historic Parks is governed by the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, established in 1895 to protect, preserve and present the parks’ rich historic and natural resources for the education and recreation of future generations. Visitor information is available at 231-436-4100 or on the web at www.MackinacParks.com.
207 West Sinclair Street, P. O. Box 873, Mackinaw City, Michigan 49701 · 231-436-4100 · E-mail Us
©2008 Mackinac Island State Historic Parks. All Rights Reserved. · Produced by Gaslight Media.