When you visit the Straits of Mackinac this summer, we invite you to slow down (or even sit down) and ponder the earth beneath your feet. You never know – you may reveal evidence of ancient life which thrived in very different waters, nearly 400 million years ago!
Thanks to a onetime influx of infrastructure money, Mackinac State Historic Parks is in the middle of a construction boom. Archaeological potential is considered during project planning, and testing and monitoring are carried out when appropriate. Here is a rundown of what’s been a very busy winter:
Mackinac State Historic Parks offers 10 stunning wedding venues throughout its family of historic sites and state parks. Learn about them here:
In 2024 Mackinac State Historic Parks accessioned 365 objects into our permanent collection. Here are a few:
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 prepare for the first official day of winter, let’s look at the amazing adaptations animals use to get ready for the long winter.
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
