The 1880s represent an interesting time in US Army history, as the “old army” of the Civil War was meeting the emerging “new army” more recognizable today. This can be seen in the men who served as officers at Fort Mackinac.
As the calendar flips to 2025, the Mackinac State Historic Parks team is hard at work protecting, preserving, and presenting the rich history of the Straits of Mackinac by creating new exhibits, galleries, and tours, improving visitor experiences, celebrating a major anniversary, expanding our collections area and library, and finishing major infrastructure improvements on Mackinac Island.
As we gather this Thanksgiving, may we be grateful for a bountiful harvest, the natural wonders around us, and family and friends to share them with, just as William and Amanda Ferry did in 1831.
Join naturalist Kyle Bagnall on a guided walk to explore one of Mackinac Island’s oldest and most iconic rock formations. In August 1894, Major Clarence Bennet issued a warning to
TO REGISTER: runmackinac.com The eighth annual Fort2Fort Five Mile Challenge will start at Fort Mackinac at 9:00 a.m. and passes all of the historic and natural wonders Mackinac Island State
Our Park Naturalist, Kyle, is ready to set the story straight: Chimney Rock and Sunset Rock are not one and the same. Let’s revisit Chimney Rock:
More than 230 species of birds have been recorded on Mackinac Island and in the surrounding straits region. Here, we take a look at some detailed observations that a summer resident and ornithologist made in 1893.
Ice fishing has been an important part of the Straits for thousands of years, but dramatic scenes of net poles so numerous that they appeared almost as a forest are now nearly forgotten.
What’s the best season to visit the Straits of Mackinac? All of them! Learn a little about each season at the Straits:
