Blog - Mackinac State Historic Parks

A Big Finish

The 2025 field season at Colonial Michilimackinac wrapped up August 23 with finds including glass seed beads, iron tools, and a rare metal-wrapped textile fragment. Long-time readers will also note that the tree stump has also been removed! Learn more here:

Fund a Need

Have an interest in the blacksmith shop on the island? Love the black-powder weapons programs at Fort Mackinac and Colonial Michilimackinac? Ever wondered how you can help out? Learn more here:

Sugar Loaf

Long before tourism was established as a major driver on Mackinac Island, Sugar Loaf was a popular attraction. Learn more about this majestic natural curiosity.

Making Sense of the Archaeology Collection

Remember the end of "Raiders of the Lost Ark" as the Ark of the Covenant is being wheeled into the giant warehouse for storage? Want to know how that relates to a three-year project concluding at Mackinac State Historic Parks? Read on:

William Whistler’s Pistols

William Whistler joined the United States Army in 1801 and served for more than 60 years, including three stints at Fort Mackinac. Today we take a dive into our collection and look at two fine pistols that belonged to Whistler.

At the Half

We're past the halfway point of the archaeological field season. What have we learned?

Mackinac National Park

Let's revisit an article originally posted in 1875 exploring the newly created Mackinac National Park.

Michigan Governor ‘Soapy’ Williams, A Champion for Mackinac

The G. Mennen Williams Mackinac Celebration is the kickoff to the events season for our friends group Mackinac Associates, named in honor of former Governor G. Mennen “Soapy” Williams. But who was Gov. Williams and why is he important to Mackinac State Historic Parks?

Beautiful Mackinac

As we commemorate the 150th anniversary, let's revisit an article titled "Beautiful Mackinac," originally published June 4, 1875, to celebrate Mackinac National Park.

It’s Spring, and Thoughts Turn to Excavating

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:

Wonders with Leaves

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.

Tragedy & Heroism at Mackinac

"If there ever was an epic of peril and of rescue this was one."

Mackinac State Historic Parks Blog

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