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Tag: American History

Army Marksmanship at Fort Mackinac

While American history is full of stories and legends of soldiers and civilians skillfully using their muskets and rifles in the heat of battle or some other dramatic event, the truth is that most people in the 1800s had little-to-no experience in long-range shooting or even basic firearm skills. This included the army.

A fragment of a white pipe made of clay.

The Season Continues

We’re past the halfway point of the 2023 archaeological field season 0 let’s get an update!

Opening Fort Mackinac

One of the highlights of any visit to Fort Mackinac is interacting with our interpretive staff. Take a little peek behind the scenes on what it takes to open a site like Fort Mackinac and work here as an interpreter.

Maple Taps at Mackinac

Maple sugaring has finished for the 2023 season. While most sugaring was done nearby, we do know that at least a few maples were tapped on Mackinac Island in the 1880s.

From the Collection: Artifacts of Literacy

One of the next major projects tor Mackinac State Historic Parks will be the reconstruction of a unit on the Southwest Rowhouse. To prepare, MSHP staff have been going over the archaeological records and artifacts from the 1960s, when the unit was originally excavated.

Fort Mackinac soldiers clearing a path in front of Fort Mackinac in the 1880s.

Winter for the Soldiers at Fort Mackinac

Wintering on Mackinac Island has always been a desolate and isolated affair. While many were able to leave the island in winter, soldiers of the 23rd United States Infantry, Companies E and K, had to stay and adapt to their winter home.