Press Releases

Follow the links below for downloadable PDF press releases from Mackinac State Historic Parks.

April 11, 2025 – Mackinac Island State Park Cleanup Progressing Well; Park Will be Ready for 2025 Tourist Season
April 8, 2025 – Majority of Mackinac Island State Park Closed for Cleanup Efforts
March 3, 2025 – Celebrating 150 Years of Mackinac National Park
February 27, 2025 – Mackinac State Historic Parks Part of Michigan Museum Community Advocating for Museums in Washington, D.C.
February 18, 2025 – Submissions Being Accepted for 2025 Juried Art Exhibition
February 3, 2025 – Join Mackinac State Historic Parks for Snowshoeing at Historic Mill Creek
December 18, 2024 – Applications Being Accepted for 2025 Artist-in-Residence Program
November 18, 2024 – Holiday Traditions are Alive at A Colonial Christmas, December 14
October 3, 2024 – Portion of Garrison Road to be Closed October 7-10
September 19, 2024 – Spooky Specters and Lurking Lutins Await at Fort Fright October 4-5
September 16, 2024 – Take a Guided Walk to Mackinac Island’s Cemeteries September 19
September 4, 2024 – Enjoy a Guided Stroll to Arch Rock September 7
August 28, 2024 – Colonial Michilimackinac Opening Delayed Labor Day
August 27, 2024 – Experience Fireworks of a Different Kind at Colonial Michilimackinac Sep. 1
August 19, 2024 – Experience Michilimackinac by Moonlight August 24
August 15, 2024 – Lost Rocks and Mackinac Millstones at Historic Mill Creek, August 18-24
August 13, 2024 – Explore Mackinac by Moonlight August 19
August 1, 2024 – Explore Mackinac’s Forgotten Features August 3
July 19, 2024 – Hay Cutters & Summer Pasture at Historic Mill Creek
July 18, 2024 – Vintage Base Ball at Fort Mackinac
July 10, 2024 – Dig Deeper into Mackinac Island’s History with Trio of Events
July 8, 2024 – Explore the Maritime History of Michilimackinac with “Maritime Michilimackinac” July 13
July 1, 2024 – It’s A Star Spangled Fourth of July at Fort Mackinac
June 27, 2024 – Experience Fireworks of a Different Kind at Colonial Michilimackinac June 3
June 25, 2024 – Winners Announced for Mackinac Rocks! Juried Art Exhibition
June 19, 2024 – Archaeology Program Yields Exciting Find
June 12, 2024 – See why Mackinac Rocks! June 19 at The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum
June 11, 2024 – Wildlife Week at Historic Mill Creek
June 4, 2024 – Explore the Maritime History of Michilimackinac with “Maritime Michilimackinac” June 8
May 28, 2024 – Historic Downtown Mackinac, British Landing Nature Center, Milliken Nature Center Exhibit to Open
May 23, 2024 – Memorial Day Observance at Post Cemetery to Honor Fallen Fort Mackinac Soldiers
May 21, 2024 – Mackinac Island State Park Commission to Hold Meeting May 24
May 6, 2024 – Mackinaw City Sites, Historic Downtown Mackinac Open This Week
April 29, 2024 – Fort Mackinac, Mackinac Island State Park Visitor’s Center Open May 3
February 7, 2024 – What’s in Store for ’24?
January 4, 2024 – Applications Being Accepted for 2024 Artist-in-Residence Program
November 9, 2023 – Holiday Traditions of the 17th and 18th Centuries are Alive at A Colonial Christmas
September 20, 2023 – Spooky Specters and Lurking Lutins Await at Fort Fright October 6-7
September 19, 2023 – Mackinac Island State Park Commission to Meet September 22
August 31, 2023 – Colonial Michilimackinac Opening Delayed on Labor Day
August 29, 2023 – Experience Fireworks of a Different Kind at ‘Fire at Night’ September 3
August 29, 2023 – Ceremonial Groundbreaking at Milliken Nature Center September 1
August 28, 2023 – Arch Rock Plaza to Close September 11 Through April 2024 for Milliken Nature Center Construction
August 23, 2023 – Ice Cream Social and Movie in the Fort August 26
August 22, 2023 – Experience ‘Moonlit Michilimackinac’ this Saturday, August 26
August 21, 2023 – Join Mackinac Associates for ‘Mingle at Michilimackinac’ September 16
August 1, 2023 – Guests Have Two Opportunities to Fire Michilimackinac’s Weapons
July 26, 2023 – Explore “Mackinac’s Forgotten Features” by bicycle Saturday, August 5
July 25, 2023 – Special Weekend at Michilimackinac, August 5-6, to Explore the Free and Enslaved People Who Worked for John Askin
July 24, 2023 – Mackinac Island State Park Commission to Hold Meeting July 28
July 19, 2023 – It’s the Fort Mackinac Never Sweats vs. the Portland Blue Sox in Vintage Base Ball!
July 13, 2023 – Celebrating 125 Years of Mackinac Island’s Automobile Ban
July 10, 2023 – The War of 1812 on Mackinac Revisited on Bicycle
June 29, 2023 – It’s A Star Spangled Fourth of July at Fort Mackinac
June 27, 2023 – Experience Fireworks of a Different Kind at ‘Fire at Night’ at Colonial Michilimackinac
June 23, 2023 – Earthenware Sherds Most Recent Find at Michilimackinac Archaeology
June 22, 2023 – Winners Announced for for 2023 Juried Art Exhibition, A Mackinac Day
June 14, 2023 – Explore How the Residents of Michilimackinac Relaxed with “Wit and Merth’
June 8, 2023 – Mackinac State Historic Parks Hosting Special Events to Help Celebrate Lilac Festival
June 7, 2023 – Explore Michilimackinac’s Maritime History with Maritime Michilimackinac June 10
June 2, 2023 – God Save the King! Celebrate the King’s Birth-day at Colonial Michilimackinac
June 1, 2023 – McGulpin House, American Fur Co. Store, British Landing Nature Center to Open June 3
May 30, 2023 – Season Not Even Underway Yet, but Michilimackinac Archaeologists Find Artifact
May 23, 2023 – Mackinac Island State Park Commission to Meet May 26
May 23, 2023 – Memorial Day Observance to Honor Fallen Fort Mackinac Soldiers at Post Cemetery
May 9, 2023 – Busy Week of Openings at Mackinac State Historic Parks
May 3, 2023 – Iconic Fort Mackinac Open for the 2023 Season
March 14, 2023 – Registration Open for Sixth Annual Fort2Fort Five Mile Challenge
March 9, 2023 – Dendroarchaeological Investigation of McGulpin House Indicates Home was Built in 1790-91
February 23, 2023 – Artists Selected for 2023 Artist-in-Residence Program
January 24, 2023 – Mackinac State Historic Parks Announces Purchase of DePeyster Portraits
January 5, 2023 – What’s New for 2023?
January 3, 2023 – Applications Being Accepted for Artist-in-Residence Program
December 13, 2022 – Mackinac State Historic Parks Announces Staff Appointments, Promotions
November 28, 2022 – Mackinac Island State Park Commission to Meet December 7
November 15, 2022 – It’s A Colonial Christmas at Colonial Michilimackinac December 10
October 26, 2022 – Mackinac State Historic Parks Offering Community Flag Retirement Program
October 4, 2022 – Spooky Specters and Lurking Lutins Await at Fort Fright, October 7-8
September 19, 2022 – Mackinac Island State Park Commission to Meet September 23
September 12, 2022 – Spooky Specters and Lurking Lutins Await at Fort Fright, October 7-8
September 6, 2022 – Doud, Martin Elected, Levy Appointed to Mackinac Associates Board
September 1, 2022 – Movie by the Bridge, Fire at Night! Labor Day Weekend
August 30, 2022 – Colonial Michilimackinac Opening Delayed on Labor Day
August 17, 2022 – More Artifacts Uncovered at Colonial Michilimackinac
August 10, 2022 – Mackinac State Historic Parks Archaeology Uncovers Another Amazing Artifact
July 18, 2022 – Vintage ‘Base Ball’ at Fort Mackinac July 23
June 24, 2022 – Experience Fireworks of a Different Kind at ‘Fire at Night’ July 3 at Colonial Michilimackinac
June 23, 2022 – A Star Spangled Fourth of July at Fort Mackinac
June 22, 2022 – Winners Announced for 2022 Juried Exhibition at Mackinac Art Museum
June 9, 2022 – Mackinac State Historic Parks Archaeology Uncovers Two Amazing Artifacts
June 8, 2022 – Explore Michilimackinac’s Maritime History with ‘Maritime Michilimackinac’ June 11
June 2, 2022 – Mackinac State Historic Parks Hosting Special Events to Help Celebrate Mackinac Island Lilac Festival
May 31, 2022 – 200 Years: The Beaumont and St. Martin Story
May 25, 2022 – God Save the King! Celebrate the King’s Birth-day at Colonial Michilimackinac June 4 
May 23, 2022 – Memorial Day Observance to Honor Fallen Fort Mackinac Soldiers at Post Cemetery
May 10, 2022 – Fifth Annual Fort2Fort Five Mile Challenge to be Run May 14
April 25, 2022 – Historic Sites of Mackinac State Historic Parks Open Next Week
April 19, 2022 – Experience Guns Across the Straits at Colonial Michilimackinac
March 29, 2022 – What’s new at Mackinac State Historic Parks for 2022? 
March 9, 2022 – Mackinac State Historic Parks to Host Seasonal Job Fair April 2
February 28, 2022 – Mackinac Island State Park Commission to Meet March 4
February 23, 2022 – Artists Selected for 2022 Artist-in-Residence Program
February 9, 2022 – Entries being accepted for 2022 Juried Art Exhibition, “Mackinac Journeys”
January 13, 2022 – Mackinac State Historic Parks Awarded Two Grants
December 2, 2021 – Mackinac Island State Park Commission to Meet December 10
November 18, 2021 – Preservation at Mackinac Among Three New Publications for Mackinac State Historic Parks in 2021
November 10, 2021 – Holiday Traditions of the 17th and 18th Centuries are Alive at A Colonial Christmas at Colonial Michilimackinac
October 28, 2021 – Mackinac State Historic Parks Now Accepting Applications for 2022 Artists-in-Residence
October 11, 2021 – M-185 Construction Update
October 4, 2021 – Mackinac Island State Park Commission Honors Frank J. Kelley
September 21, 2021 – M-185 Road Closure Update
September 20, 2021 – Mackinac Island State Park Commission to Meet September 24
September 15, 2021 – Mackinac Island Airport to be Closed Thursday, September 16
September 14, 2021 – Fort Fright Canceled for 2021
September 8, 2021 – Slater, Bailey Added to Mackinac Associates Board
September 3, 2021 – M-185 to be Fully Accessible Labor Day Weekend
September 1, 2021 – Colonial Michilimackinac Opening to be Delayed on Labor Day
August 26, 2021 – Select Mackinac State Historic Parks Sites to Close Mondays and Tuesdays Starting Labor Day
August 24, 2021 – Experience the Power of Michilimackinac’s Weapons at ‘Fire at Night’ September 5
August 4, 2021 – Special Weekend at Colonial Michilimackinac, August 7-8, to Explore the Free and Enslaved Employees of John Askin
July 21, 2021 – It’s the Fort Mackinac Never Sweats vs the Rochester Grangers July 24 in Vintage ‘Base Ball’
July 16, 2021 – Michilimackinac Unreconstructed Tour to Take Place July 20
June 28, 2021 – It’s A Star Spangled Fourth of July at Fort Mackinac
June 23, 2021 – Winners Announced for “The Seasons of Mackinac” at Mackinac Art Museum
June 10, 2021 – ‘Guns Across the Straits’ Allows Guests Unforgettable Experience at Colonial Michilimackinac
June 9, 2021 – Gardens and Good Things to Eat at Colonial Michilimackinac
June 3, 2021 – Celebrate the King’s Birth-day at Colonial Michilimackinac!
June 2, 2021 – 63rd Consecutive Season of Archaeology Underway at Colonial Michilimackinac
May 27, 2021 – Mackinac Island State Park Commission to Meet May 28
May 27, 2021 – M-185 to be Open Memorial Day Weekend
May 27, 2021 – Memorial Day Observance to be Held at Fort Mackinac Post Cemetery
May 26, 2021 – E-bikes and Mackinac Island State Park
May 14, 2021 – Portion of M-185 to be Closed Monday, May 17
May 3, 2021 – Mackinac State Historic Parks to Offer 1958 Rates to Local Residents on Mother’s Day Weekend
April 29, 2021 – Reigning Lilac Queen Ava Sehoyan to Open Fort Mackinac with Cannon Firing
April 14, 2021 – What’s New for 2021 at Mackinac State Historic Parks?
March 24, 2021 – Artists Selected for 2021 Artist-in-Residence Program
February 24, 2021 – Mackinac Island State Park Commission to Meet March 5
February 9, 2021 – Kyle Bagnall Named Park Naturalist for Mackinac State Historic Parks
February 1, 2021 – New Program ‘Guns Across the Straits’ Allows Guests Unforgettable Experience at Colonial Michilimackinac
January 28, 2021 – Entries Being Accepted for 2021 Juried Art Exhibition, “The Seasons of Mackinac”
January 8, 2021 – Mackinac State Historic Parks Pleased to Announce Virtual Education Outreach Programs
November 10, 2020 – Applications Now Being Accepted for 2021 Artist-in-Residence Program
October 6, 2020 – Craig Wilison, Dominick Miller Appointed to New Roles with Mackinac State Historic Parks
September 29, 2020 – Steven C. Brisson Appointed Director of Mackinac State Historic Parks
September 16, 2020 – A Scandalous Weekend on Tap at Colonial Michilimackinac
August 28, 2020 – Todd Callewaert, Natalia Wohletz Elected to Mackinac Associates Board
August 17, 2020 – Two More Free Mackinac Parks: 125 Events This Week
August 12, 2020 – 2020 – Register for the Fort2Fort Virtual Five Mile Challenge
August 5, 2020 – Official Fudge of the Mackinac Parks: 125 Celebration Now Available
August 3, 2020 – Busy Week of Events Kicks Off Today
July 29, 2020 – Fort Fright Canceled for the 2020 Season
July 27, 2020 – Winners Announced for “A Day in the Park” Art Exhibition at Manoogian Art Museum
July 24, 2020 – Phil Porter to Retire from Mackinac State Historic Parks
July 23, 2020 – Mackinac Island State Park Commission Meeting July 24
July 15, 2020 – It’s the Fort Mackinac Never Sweats vs. the Portland Blue Sox in Vintage Base Ball
July 11, 2020 – ‘Fleur de Mac,’ Official Beer of the Mackinac Parks: 125 Celebration, to be Tapped Today
July 8, 2020 – Through an Officer’s Eyes Latest Book Published by Mackinac State Historic Parks
July 6, 2020 – Colonial Michilimackinac to Host Multiple Mackinac Parks: 125 Events in Coming Days
June 29, 2020 – Mackinac State Historic Parks to Host ‘Movies by the Bridge’ and ‘Movies in the Fort’
June 17, 2020 – Jodie Borowicz Named Chief Financial Officer for Mackinac State Historic Parks
June 3, 2020 – Mackinac State Historic Parks Historic Sites to Begin Opening June 12
May 1, 2020 – Mackinac State Historic Parks Opening Delayed to Mid-June
April 20, 2020 – Mackinac State Historic Parks Debuts ‘Explore at Home’ Online Resources
April 2, 2020 – Mackinac State Historic Parks Opening Delayed
March 3, 2020 – Mackinac Island State Park Commission Meeting March 6
March 2, 2020 – Artist-in-Residence Artists Selected for 2020 Season
February 10, 2020 – Mackinac State Historic Parks Turns 125 in 2020
February 10, 2020 – Straits of Mackinac State Park Summer Job Fair February 22
January 30, 2020 – Arch Rock Visitor’s Center to be Named in Honor of Governor Milliken
January 27, 2020 – “Historic Mackinac on Tour” To Begin Visiting Classrooms
November 5, 2019 – Mackinac State Historic Parks Accepting Applications for Artist-in-Residence Program
October 29, 2019 – Education Outreach Programs to Begin for 2019-2020 Season
October 21, 2019 – LeeAnn Ewer, Cassondra Boothroyd Appointed to New Roles with Mackinac State Historic Parks
September 26, 2019 – Mackinac Island State Park Commission Meeting September 27
September 25, 2019 – Spooky Specters and Lurking Lutins Await at Fort Fright, October 4-5
September 13, 2019 – Steve Murray, Sheldon Smith Added to Mackinac Associates Board
September 8, 2019 – Michilimackinac at Work: Labor and Trades Weekend September 14-15
August 26, 2019 – Colonial Michilimackinac Opening Delayed During Labor Day Bridge Walk
August 21, 2019 – Myron Johnson Appointed Mackinac Island State Park Manager
August 1, 2019 – Gardens and Good Things to Eat at Colonial Michilimackinac, August 10-11
July 19, 2019 – Mackinac Island State Park Commission Meeting July 26
July 15, 2019 – It’s the Fort Mackinac Never Sweats vs. Rochester Grangers in Vintage Base Ball
July 5, 2019 – Garrison Life at Fort Holmes
July 2, 2019 – Pastimes in Times Past: Fun and Games at Colonial Michilimackinac
July 1, 2019 – An American Picnic, presented by Grand Hotel
June 21, 2019 – Rendezvous at the Straits: Voyageur Culture
June 18, 2019 – Discover Fort Mackinac’s Role in the Civil War
June 11, 2019 – Celebrate the Visions of Mackinac at The Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum
June 6, 2019 – Mackinac State Historic Parks to Celebrate the Lilac Festival with Special Events
June 3, 2019 – Celebrate the King’s Birth-day at Colonial Michilimackinac
June 3, 2019 – Michigan Governor’s Summer Residence Tours to Begin June 3
June 2, 2019 – Celebrate Colonial Michilimackinac with Special Themed Weekends in 2019
May 31, 2019 – Daniel Loepp Named Chairman of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission
May 20, 2019 – Memorial Day Observance to Honor Fallen Fort Mackinac Soldiers at Post Cemetery
May 14, 2019 – Mackinac Island State Park Commission Meeting May 24
May 6, 2019 – Second Annual Fort2Fort Five Mile Challenge to be Run May 11
April 11, 2019 – What’s new at Mackinac State Historic Parks?
March 22, 2019 – Inaugural Artist-in-Residence Artists Selected
March 4, 2019 – David Harkleroad Hired as Interpretation Coordinator
February 26, 2019 – Mackinac Island State Park Commission Meeting March 1
February 7, 2019 – Straits of Mackinac State Park Job Fair February 23
January 15, 2019 – 2019 Education Outreach Session set to Begin
January 2, 2019 – Mackinac State Historic Parks Accepting Applications for Artist-in-Residence Program
October 1, 2018 – Spooky Specters and Lurking Lutins await at Fort Fright, October 5-6
September 25, 2018 – Mackinac Island State Park Commission to hold joint work session and meeting September 28
September 4, 2018 – Michilimackinac at Work: Labors and Trades September 8-9
September 4, 2018 – Michelle Walk hired as Membership and Grants Coordinator
August 30, 2018 – Colonial Michilimackinac closed during 2018 Labor Day Bridge Walk
August 21, 2018 – Spooky Specters and Lurking Lutins await at Fort Fright, October 5-6
August 21, 2018 – Fort Mackinac’s role during the Civil War to be explored August 24-25
August 7, 2018 – Celebrate the gardens of Michilimackinac with a special weekend, August 11-12
August 1, 2018 – The War of 1812 comes to life at Fort Mackinac August 4-5
July 23, 2018 – Mackinac Island State Park Commission meeting to be held July 27
July 22, 2018 – Author Justin Carroll to host book signing, talk at Colonial Michilimackinac
July 8, 2018 – Fort Mackinac turns into Ghastly Mackinac on July 14 and August 1
July 8, 2018 – The Fort Mackinac Never Sweats host the Mackinaw City Boys in Vintage Base Ball on July 21
July 4, 2018 – Minor accident temporarily closes Mackinac Island Airport
June 12, 2018 – “Landscapes of Mackinac” winners to be selected June 20
June 6, 2018 – Historic Downtown Mackinac to open June 9
June 6, 2018 – Soldiers of the King: The British Garrison of Michilimackinac weekend taking place at Colonial Michilimackinac
June 6, 2018 – MSHP Archaeology enters 60th season
May 21, 2018 – Memorial Day Observance at Fort Mackinac Post Cemetery
May 14, 2018 – Mackinac Island State Park Commission meeting to be held May 18
May 9, 2018 – Residents Appreciation Days at MSHP sites
May 8, 2018 – Property in Hubbard’s Annex for sale by Mackinac Island State Park Commission
May 1, 2018 – Soldiers of Fort Mackinac co-published by MSHP, MSU Press
April 27, 2018 – Mackinac Island Mayor Margaret Doud to fire opening cannon at Fort Mackinac
April 26, 2018 – MSHP Opening Days
April 2, 2018 – Inaugural Fort2Fort Five Mile Challenge set for May 12
April 2, 2018 – Essence of Emmet to host MSHP Registrar Brian Jaeschke for talk
March 21, 2018 – Fort Mackinac, Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse receive new logos
March 14, 2018 – Mackinac Island State Park forced to remove iconic elm tree
January 29, 2018 – Education Outreach program celebrates 30th year
January 29, 2018 – Twilight Turtle Trek on Mackinac Island on February 3
July 13, 2017 – MSHP Debuts Newest Publication, ‘Colorful Mackinac’
June 22, 2017 – MSHP Wins Alice Smith Prize from Midwestern History Association
June 19, 2017 – Mackinac Island State Park to Offering Property for Sale in Hubbard’s Annex
December 28, 2017 – Twilight Turtle Trek on Mackinac Island taking place January 6
May 30, 2017 – Juried Art Exhibition on Display at Mackinac Art Museum
May 30, 2017 – Mackinac Island Scout Service Camp
May 26, 2017 – Phil Porter Presented ‘Citizen’s Award’
May 2, 2017 – Mackinac State Historic Parks Open for 2017 Season
April 7, 2017 – Shane Paeth Named Park Ranger E6 for Mackinac State Historic Parks
March 14, 2017 – Dominick Miller Named Marketing Manager for Mackinac State Historic Parks