Colonial Michilimackinac
Colonial Michilimackinac, also referred to as Fort Michilimackinac State Park, is one of many great places and tourist attractions in Mackinaw City, MI.
Remember how much fun you had as a kid, making forts in your backyard? Well, I'm pretty sure you never had a fort like this! Take a travel back in time when you visit this National Historic Landmark founded in 1715, Colonial Michilimackinac.
Historic Fort Michilimackinac, Mackinaw City, MI
Travel back to colonial times as you experience a guided tour of the National Historic Landmark of Fort Michilimackinac located in Mackinaw City, MI.
Colonial Michilimackinac
aka Fort Michilimackinac State Park
102 W. Straits Avenue
Mackinaw City, MI 49701
GPS coordinates: N 45^ 47.212, W 084^ 43.955
(231) 436-5563
Mackinac State Historic Parks
(231) 436-4100 (Mackinaw City Office)
(906) 847-3328 (Mackinac Island Office)
http://mackinacparks.com/
facebook.com/mackinacstatehistoricparks
twitter.com/mshp
Fort Michilimackinac State Park, commonly referred to as Colonial Michilimackinac, is the site of a reconstructed 1715 fur-trading village and military outpost. Fort Michilimackinac is a Mackinac State Historic Park and a National Historic Landmark.
Please note: Colonial Michilimackinac does not offer lodging accommodations. Make sure to see our list of Mackinaw City Accommodations when planning your visit.
The park is open daily from early May to early October. Michilimackinac is located just before the Mackinaw Bridge in Mackinaw City.
Fort Michilimackinac was built and occupied by the French Military until 1761 serving as a pivotal location for French fur trading and alliance building with native tribes. Plan on spending two to four hours touring the fort and learning about its unique history. Listen to the tales of a Chippewa tribe that staged a ball game outside the stockade to create a diversion and gain entrance to the post, allowing them to attack and kill most of the British occupants. Today, the Fort features re-enactments from the British occupation in the 1770's as well as the American Revolution Era. Exhibits include "Redcoats on the Frontier: British Soldiers at Michilimackinac," a permanent exhibit which features artifacts from soldier life inside an accurately reconstructed Soldiers' Barracks. See, hear and imagine soldiers' daily lives! Along the beautiful grounds of the fort and from its highest point you will be amazed by the majestic lake view and bridge view unfolding beneath you, it is truly an awesome site.
Features Include:- Thirteen authentically reconstructed buildings filled with exhibits, interactive displays and period furnishings
- Orientation movie in the Visitor's Center
- Special exhibits on the site's archaeological treasures, firearms and life as a British Redcoat
- Musket and cannon firings
- Period cooking, crafts, gardening demonstrations and children's games (June-August)
- Costumed reenactments of a French colonial wedding and the arrival of voyageurs (June-August)
- Participate in a game of Baggatiway (June-August)
- Active archaeological dig (June-August)
- Costumed, historic interpreters
Refreshments - Beverages, snacks and picnic tables on site.
Shopping - Purchase colonial and historic military-themed gifts, books and toy at the Visitor's Center museum store.
For more information feel free to visit them on their website, www.mackinacparks.com
Colonial Michilimackinac - Online Brochure
Virtual brochure and information for Colonial Michilimackinac (aka Fort Michilimackinac State Park), one of many online travel brochures for tourist information in Mackinaw City, MI. Provided by your source for Mackinaw Information and Mackinac Information.
Virtual PDF brochure of Colonial Michilimackinac (Fort Michilimackinac State Park)
Mackinac State Historic Parks
1770's Fort & Village
Real Mackinac. A Real Blast!
Relive the past, make a memory at Colonial Michilimackinac, founded 1715.
Treasures from the past come to life at this 18th-century fort and fur trading village. Reconstructed based on historic maps and more than 50 years of archaeological excavations that continue today, Colonial Michilimackinac offers a one-of-a-kind experience from cannon and musket firings to hearth cooking and crafts.
At one of the longest ongoing archaeological excavations in the northern hemisphere, archaeologists are onsite throughout the summer, pulling history from the soil, bit-by-bit, and answering questions about the important work of piecing together history.
Located on the shore of the Straits of Mackinac, visitors of all ages can enjoy the unique perspective from the palisade walls – looking out over the Mackinac Bridge, the Straits of Mackinac and the Upper Peninsula – enjoy lunch near the Kids' Rendezvous playground or purchase artisan gifts, books, and apparel from the expansive museum store.
Life continues much in the way it did in the 1700s. Watch the smoke billow from the cannon and muskets fired by British soldiers and help colonial women prepare food or tend the garden. Join French voyageurs and Native Americans as they demonstrate their way of life – the past and present blur into a fascinating and unmatched experience at Colonial Michilimackinac.
Convenient dining and one-of-a-kind museum store on site. Colonial Michilimackinac is handicap accessible and welcomes well-behaved pets.
Located just West of the Mackinac Bridge, along Straits Avenue in Mackinaw City. Enter through the Visitor Center beneath the bridge.
If you have new or updated information about this virtual brochure, please contact us.
2 Comments
Reader Comments (2)
A great place to visit to learn the history of Mackinaw,we took the grandkids there and they were excited when they seen one of the old houses with their last name on it.Worth the visit.
Amazing piece of Michigan history, not to be missed. The docents were very accurate and helpful. The information was well presented and the fort has a lot of different displays for children. A really fun way to learn about the area and see some fascinating artifacts.