History doesn’t just come alive at Mackinac State Historic Parks – it booms, echoes, and surrounds you. In celebration of America250, Mackinac State Historic Parks is proud to offer a bold lineup of hands-on, after-hours, and curator-led experiences that allow visitors to go beyond observation and take part in the story. Click any link below to learn more!
Imagine yourself standing next to the iconic Fort Mackinac cannon. Mackinac Island’s downtown unfolds below you, just starting to come to life. Off in the distance you see a ferry coming across the lake and the majestic Mackinac Bridge on the horizon. You hear the bugle call out reveille, and the Fort Mackinac soldier gives you the signal. Finally, YOU fire the first cannon volley of the day at Fort Mackinac!
Even with the Mackinac Bridge towers in the distance, standing at the brass cannon aimed over Lake Michigan with the wooden palisade of Fort Michilimackinac behind you transports you back in time to the 1770s. A historic interpreter takes you through the process of preparing the cannon for firing, and, when the fort is ready to open, the command of “FIRE!” is given and you fire a ceremonial cannon blast opening Colonial Michilimackinac for the day.
What better way to wind down your day in the Straits of Mackinac than by firing off Michilimackinac’s weapons? Imagine it – you step into Colonial Michilimackinac and, as you make your way to the palisade walls, you find that it’s emptying out and you have the place to yourself. From there, you fire all four of the black powder weapons used at Michilimackinac – the Short Land Musket, Wall Gun, Coehorn Mortar, and, as the finale, the cannon.
Join a curator for a 90-minute guided tour of Colonial Michilimackinac, a hub for British military and diplomatic activities during the war. As you explore the reconstructed site, hear how the British and their Anishnaabek allies reacted to and participated in events along the Atlantic coast as well as here on the Great Lakes frontier. Take a deeper look at the lives of the people who called Michilimackinac home during the tumultuous years of the American Revolution, and how these revolutionary events shaped northern Michigan in ways we can still appreciate today.
Join a curator for a 90-minute guided tour of Fort Mackinac to learn how the fort’s military purpose evolved over time. You’ll examine everything from original 18th century fortifications, built by British soldiers during the Revolution, to amenities added for American troops during the height of 19th century tourism. Along the way, learn more about Fort Mackinac’s central role in the War of 1812 and the creation of the country’s second national park.
