Kids’ Quarters is a 1,258 square foot interactive exhibit inside the Officers' Stone Quarters at Fort Mackinac. Hands-on history games include checkers, dress up, fife playing and Morse Code. More than 16 interactive 1880s experiences provide creative areas for visitors to immerse themselves in Mackinac’s past.
Here are some highlights of the Kids’ Quarters exhibit:
At four times its actual size, visitors can electronically play a replica of an oversized 5 feet 6 inch 1880s “Giant Fife.”
A 43 percent scale model of an 1880s cannon lets visitors get close to and pretend to fire it.
Visitors help MSHP identify mysterious artifacts with the Mystery Magnifier.
A pullout cannon will be placed in a blockhouse, with sound effects.
A soldier’s Manual of Arms interactive video will be projected onto a screen, and kids step into formation in front of a virtual soldier who instructs them on proper 1880s military rifle firing sequence and procedure.
Victorian shadow boxes for “Hangin’ with Harold” are filled with 1880s vignettes painted by Nick Van Frankenhuysen, and audio recordings to help kids imagine fort life in the 1880s.
Visitors can play two versions of checkers on the historic 1880s checkerboard.
A painted military mural with soldiers’ faces cut out provides a new family photo opportunity.
Visitors can try Morse Code Keys--1880s-style communications—something like Victorian email.
The exhibit’s mini museum store, Harold and Friends, is named for Harold Corbusier.
Fort
Historic
Mackinac Island
Colonial
Old Mackinac
Historic
Mill Creek
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