It’s spring, and while many people think of gardening, archaeologists think of excavating. The 2025 archaeological field season at Colonial Michilimackinac has begun! Get re-acquainted with the dig site here:
Over the past two centuries, dozens of amateur and professional botanists have documented the rich natural history of Mackinac Island. To date, about 600 species of wild plants have been identified on Mackinac Island, including 270 wildflowers. Read on to learn more.
This will be one of the coolest things you see all summer. Experience the power of Michilimackinac’s weapons at night. Gates open at 7:30 p.m. Rifle firing will start at
Peel back the layers of history with us to reveal the beginnings of modern-day Colonial Michilimackinac. From an abandoned fort to a campground, the story of the making of Michilimackinac
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!
Askin’s People at Michilimackinac will explore the lives free and enslaved people who worked for the merchant John Askin at Michilimackinac in the 1770s. Join the staff at Michilimackinac as
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:
In the late 18th century, a small number of sailing vessels crisscrossed the upper Great Lakes. Each vessel only required a few sailors to operate, with diverse crews that involved enslaved individuals.
Mackinac State Historic Parks offers 10 stunning wedding venues throughout its family of historic sites and state parks. Learn about them here:
