2016 Collections Acquisitions Posted January 10, 2017 In 2016, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission accessioned 131 gifts and 142 purchases to the historic object and archival collection. Postcards, stereoviews and ruby souvenir glass by island businessman Frank Kriesche added to established collections in the state park. As in previous years, the new acquisitions represent a wide array of topics including some of the first color glass plate negatives, a mezzotint of the Mackinac Bridge being constructed and a large collection of Mackinaw City related objects. (more…)
Episode 1 Mackinac: An Island Famous in These Regions Posted June 22, 2016 “Mackinac: And Island Famous in These Regions” was written by Mackinac State Historic Parks Director Phil Porter and first published in 1998. The book covers the history of the Straits of Mackinac, its people, and its impact on the region and the world. These first two chapters, narrated by Phil Porter, cover the origins of the region and the people who first called it home. Download the Podcast »
Trekking Through the Snow, Naturally Posted February 11, 2016 Snowshoes: What a great idea! But, where did the original idea for snowshoes come from? If the French explorers and missionaries first learned about the advantages of snowshoes from the Native Americans, how did Native Americans come up with the idea of making and wearing snowshoes in the first place? (more…)
Time to Enjoy the Spring Wildflowers Posted June 4, 2015 One of the surest signs that spring has arrived in the north woods is the appearance of an abundance of beautiful wildflowers covering the forest floor. For many species of forest wildflowers there is just a short window of opportunity to bloom. Shortly after the last snow drift has melted and the frost has finally left the ground, they begin to appear. These spring wildflowers are in a race with the trees of the forest canopy. (more…)