Colonial Michilimackinac Interpretation

Mackinac State Historic Parks uses a blend of interpretive styles to educate and entertain Colonial Michilimackinac visitors. Visitor experience and site interpretation is fullfilled through accurate building reconstructions, living history programs which include visitor participation, guided tours, an ongoing archaeological excavation, period settings, discovery centers with interactive technological exhibits, audiovisual programs, archaeological ruin exhibits, archaeological artifact vitrines, and interpretive panels. All of these methods provide an enriching experience for the Colonial Michilimackinac visitor.

Click on Admission Rates & Hours and Daily Event Schedule to get more information.

Colonial Michilimackinac orientation center under the Mackinac Bridge.

Michilimackinac Visitor Center

An orientation center for Colonial Michilimackinac is located under the Mackinac Bridge in Mackinaw City. The center includes admission to the park, an audio visual program about the site's history, a large wall mural of the Mackinac Bridge by Betty Beeby, vitrines with artifacts, and an exquisite museum store.

The northwest rowhouse in Michilimackinac.

Fort Michilimackinac Reconstruction

Fort Michilimackinac has been reconstructed to the 1770's fort plan. All of the reconstructions have been accurately based on scientific archaeological excavations that were begun in 1959 and continue each summer.

A King's Eighth foot soldier explaining to a young visitor what it takes to be in the British Military.

British Military Interpreters

Interpreters at Colonial Michilimackinac portray 1770's military life at the fort during the British occupation.

The French wedding in St. Anne's church at Michilimackinac.

Female Interpreters

Female interpreters at Colonial Michilimackinac portray civilian life for French and Metis inhabitants that were allowed to stay at the fort after British occupation in the 1770s. They interpret daily life at the fort, cooking, children's activities, a French wedding at St. Anne's church, music and dancing, and they give guided tours of Michilimackinac for small groups.

Colonial Michilimackinac Publication

If you want to read more about Colonial Michilimackinac, the park sells an informative publication that covers all aspects of the site's history from its first people to the development of a premier state park in Michigan.

Click on image for ordering.