Fort Mackinac
Inside the stately stone walls it’s a different time.
The cannon blasts, the rifles fire, the soldiers march and history comes alive. The oldest building in Michigan and 13 other historical structures boast exhibits explaining everything from military training and battles to medical treatments to family life within the fort.
More than just a military outpost, Fort Mackinac served as a home for soldiers and their families and eventually the headquarters for Mackinac National Park, where tourists to the island visited the great fortress on the bluff, much like they do today.
Live Programs and Tours
Demonstrations and tours by costumed interpreters are scheduled throughout the day.
Exhibits
All fourteen buildings in the fort are restored and open to the public. They are furnished with period settings highlighting the building’s particular function or a themed exhibit. Special exhibits include:
- Mackinac, An Island Famous in These Regions on the second floor of the Soldier’s’ Barracks presents the full history of Mackinac Island.
- Military Medicine at Mackinac: 1780-1895 in the Post Hospital explores medical care at the fort and changing nineteenth-century medical practices.
- Kids’ Quarters features hands-on displays and interactive games.
Audiovisual Programs
Heritage of Mackinac is featured in the Post Commissary, providing an overview history of Mackinac. It repeats every 20 minutes.
Fort Mackinac Video via Mackinac State Historic Parks
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Fort Mackinac – Photos From Instagram
Tag your Fort Mackinac instagram photos with #fortmackinac and they will appear here in our Fort Mackinac Instagram Photo Stream.
Mackinac Island Day Three Our last stop on our carriage tour was Fort Mackinac. It was such a rainy afternoon but it was still an enjoyable visit. I would have loved to have seen the view from the fort on a clear day. “Fort Mackinac was founded during the American Revolution. Believing Fort Michilimackinac, at what is now Mackinaw City, was too vulnerable to American attack, the British moved the fort to Mackinac Island in 1780. Americans took control in 1796. In July 1812 the British captured the fort in the first land engagement of the War of 1812 in the nation. It was returned to the United States after the war. The fort remained active until 1895.” #cheersto41years 🥂 #thisismackinac #fortmackinac #mackinacisland #mackinacislandmichigan
Mackinac Island Day Three Our last stop on our carriage tour was Fort Mackinac. It was such a rainy afternoon but it was still an enjoyable visit. I would have loved to have seen the view from the fort on a clear day. “Fort Mackinac was founded during the American Revolution. Believing Fort Michilimackinac, at what is now Mackinaw City, was too vulnerable to American attack, the British moved the fort to Mackinac Island in 1780. Americans took control in 1796. In July 1812 the British captured the fort in the first land engagement of the War of 1812 in the nation. It was returned to the United States after the war. The fort remained active until 1895.” #cheersto41years 🥂 #thisismackinac #fortmackinac #mackinacisland #mackinacislandmichigan
Another Bacha family vacation to Mackinaw. #134stepstopointlookout #mackinacisland #fortmackinac #goofballbrothers
Another Bacha family vacation to Mackinaw. #134stepstopointlookout #mackinacisland #fortmackinac #goofballbrothers
Beautiful day for lunch at the Fort Mackinac Tea Room. 👌🏻☀️ #grandhotelmichigan #mackinacisland #americassummerplace #fortmackinac
Beautiful day for lunch at the Fort Mackinac Tea Room. 👌🏻☀️ #grandhotelmichigan #mackinacisland #americassummerplace #fortmackinac
Don’t be afraid to standout. #mackinac #mackinacisland #fallcolors #fall #redbush #redleaves #fortmackinac #michigan #puremichigan #uppermichigan #upnorth #nature #naturephotography #canon #canonphotography #canon_photos #canonphoto #canon7dmarkii #canon24105 mackinacisle uptravel puremichigan
Don’t be afraid to standout. #mackinac #mackinacisland #fallcolors #fall #redbush #redleaves #fortmackinac #michigan #puremichigan #uppermichigan #upnorth #nature #naturephotography #canon #canonphotography #canon_photos #canonphoto #canon7dmarkii #canon24105 mackinacisle uptravel puremichigan
The view from Fort Mackinac. I literally gasped when I stepped onto the lookout #mackinacisland #fortmackinac #puremichigan
The view from Fort Mackinac. I literally gasped when I stepped onto the lookout #mackinacisland #fortmackinac #puremichigan
Mackinac Island series: The view from the Tea Room at Fort Mackinac is something to behold. It really is something. You can dine here and watch the ferries coming and going from either Mackinaw City or St Ignace, watch the boats on the lake, the horse and carriages going up and down Main Street or around the town. #mymackinac #thisismackinac #fortmackinac #fortmackinactearoom #views #photography #photogram #travel #travelgram #travelphotography #travelphoto #michigan #exploreusa #explore #wanderlust #vacation #vacationmode #dine #photographer #amazing_shots_
Mackinac Island series: The view from the Tea Room at Fort Mackinac is something to behold. It really is something. You can dine here and watch the ferries coming and going from either Mackinaw City or St Ignace, watch the boats on the lake, the horse and carriages going up and down Main Street or around the town. #mymackinac #thisismackinac #fortmackinac #fortmackinactearoom #views #photography #photogram #travel #travelgram #travelphotography #travelphoto #michigan #exploreusa #explore #wanderlust #vacation #vacationmode #dine #photographer #amazing_shots_
Did you know we have nine ways to lunch at Grand Hotel? The Fort Mackinac Tea Room has one of the greatest views on Mackinac Island and is always a great option for lunch during your visit! ☀️#grandhotelmichigan #americassummerplace #mackinacisland #mymackinac #historichotelsofamerica #fortmackinac
Did you know we have nine ways to lunch at Grand Hotel? The Fort Mackinac Tea Room has one of the greatest views on Mackinac Island and is always a great option for lunch during your visit! ☀️#grandhotelmichigan #americassummerplace #mackinacisland #mymackinac #historichotelsofamerica #fortmackinac
“We don’t remember days, we remember moments.” This was a trip full of memorable moments I’ll never forget. Thank you tdawg21lolzzz #cherrypicking #wildstrawberries #sanddunes #hammocktime #skippingrocks #padleboard #dockbuilding #weedwacking #icecream #fishing #catchingpike #eatingpike #mackinacisland #ferryboats #tandembike #archrock #butterflyhouse #fortmackinac #mackinacbridge #snorkeling #touchingtoads #boatstuff #eveningwalks #gojuice #michigan
“We don’t remember days, we remember moments.” This was a trip full of memorable moments I’ll never forget. Thank you tdawg21lolzzz #cherrypicking #wildstrawberries #sanddunes #hammocktime #skippingrocks #padleboard #dockbuilding #weedwacking #icecream #fishing #catchingpike #eatingpike #mackinacisland #ferryboats #tandembike #archrock #butterflyhouse #fortmackinac #mackinacbridge #snorkeling #touchingtoads #boatstuff #eveningwalks #gojuice #michigan
Magnificent Mackinac — a pedestrian’s paradise with Victorian vistas 💛🚲💙🐴 #michigantrip2023 #puremichigan #onlyinmichigan #mackinacisland #thisismackinac #mackinacmoments #visitmackinac #visitmichigan #TLpicks #fortmackinac #travelblog #travelblogger #travelgram #blogger
Magnificent Mackinac — a pedestrian’s paradise with Victorian vistas 💛🚲💙🐴 #michigantrip2023 #puremichigan #onlyinmichigan #mackinacisland #thisismackinac #mackinacmoments #visitmackinac #visitmichigan #TLpicks #fortmackinac #travelblog #travelblogger #travelgram #blogger
Missing my Mackinac days ❤️ . . . . . #mackinac #makeitmackinac #fortmackinac #mackinacmichigan #mackinacparks #mackinacisland #historicalplaces #vintage #antiques #upnorth #michigan #thegreatlakesstate #smittenwiththemitten #canon #canonphotography
Missing my Mackinac days ❤️ . . . . . #mackinac #makeitmackinac #fortmackinac #mackinacmichigan #mackinacparks #mackinacisland #historicalplaces #vintage #antiques #upnorth #michigan #thegreatlakesstate #smittenwiththemitten #canon #canonphotography
More from my trip recently to Mackinac Island #mycruisedoctor😎🚢⚓️🌎🌊‼️ #MackinacIslandMichigan #fortmackinac
More from my trip recently to Mackinac Island #mycruisedoctor😎🚢⚓️🌎🌊‼️ #MackinacIslandMichigan #fortmackinac
Mackinac Island: I was finally able to see what everyone is raving about. This place does not disappoint as Mackinac Island is steeped in history and has plenty to see if you are planning a day-trip. We took the Star Line Ferry from Mackinac City and were immediately drawn to the constant flurry of horse-drawn carriages, bikes and NO CARS! 125 years ago village leaders enacted a ban on motor vehicles after local residents complained the introduction of cars onto the island back in 1898 would detract from horse-drawn carriage business and bring pollution. This island has been car-free since then and will continue into the future. Mackinac Island is famous as a pivotal point of control in the Great Lakes for fur trade of the 18th and early 19th centuries and the site of Battle of Mackinac during the War of 1812. A lesser-known fact (at least to us) is Mackinac Island was our country’s 2nd national park, created 3 years after Yellowstone NP. It was 125 years ago that Michigan established Mackinac State Park as the first “state park”. Two decades before that about 80% of the island was known as Mackinac National Park. Soldiers at Fort Mackinac served as park rangers but when the military decided to close the fort, the State of Michigan took over. Last but not least is the majestic Grand Hotel boasting the world’s longest porch. You can see me in the pic standing on the colonial porch. #thisismackinac #mackinacisland #fortmackinac #starlineferry
Mackinac Island: I was finally able to see what everyone is raving about. This place does not disappoint as Mackinac Island is steeped in history and has plenty to see if you are planning a day-trip. We took the Star Line Ferry from Mackinac City and were immediately drawn to the constant flurry of horse-drawn carriages, bikes and NO CARS! 125 years ago village leaders enacted a ban on motor vehicles after local residents complained the introduction of cars onto the island back in 1898 would detract from horse-drawn carriage business and bring pollution. This island has been car-free since then and will continue into the future. Mackinac Island is famous as a pivotal point of control in the Great Lakes for fur trade of the 18th and early 19th centuries and the site of Battle of Mackinac during the War of 1812. A lesser-known fact (at least to us) is Mackinac Island was our country’s 2nd national park, created 3 years after Yellowstone NP. It was 125 years ago that Michigan established Mackinac State Park as the first “state park”. Two decades before that about 80% of the island was known as Mackinac National Park. Soldiers at Fort Mackinac served as park rangers but when the military decided to close the fort, the State of Michigan took over. Last but not least is the majestic Grand Hotel boasting the world’s longest porch. You can see me in the pic standing on the colonial porch. #thisismackinac #mackinacisland #fortmackinac #starlineferry
Meanwhile, on an Island …. #mackinacisland #fortmackinac #Island #vacation #vibes #ootd #travel #traveltheworld
Meanwhile, on an Island …. #mackinacisland #fortmackinac #Island #vacation #vibes #ootd #travel #traveltheworld
June 2022 - Mackinac Island - Part 1 We fell in love with this little island during the Lilac Festival. This was our last trip as a family of 3. We had so much fun on the carriage tour, looking at the horses, riding the bucket bike all over (blakeyb is a champ and rode with West and I in the back), stopping to smell all the beautiful flowers, and eating at the Pink Pony every night. We’ll be back.
June 2022 - Mackinac Island - Part 1 We fell in love with this little island during the Lilac Festival. This was our last trip as a family of 3. We had so much fun on the carriage tour, looking at the horses, riding the bucket bike all over (blakeyb is a champ and rode with West and I in the back), stopping to smell all the beautiful flowers, and eating at the Pink Pony every night. We’ll be back.
Kayley and Steven were married on Mackinaw Island at the town overlook near Fort Mackinac in October. Talk about fall beauty!!! She chose a Dreams by Eddy K gown from norahs.bridal with a lace embellished bodice and gorgeous georgette skirt. The shoulders had beautiful sequined flower designs, which needed to be lifted to do the necessary alteration. I carefully removed the stitches, took the shoulders up, and replaced the appliqués by hand. Additional alterations were taking in the bodice sides slightly and hemming the skirt front. Congratulations Kayley & Steven!! eddyk_bridal norahs.bridal #seamstress #bridalalterationsspecialist #weddingalterations #michiganwedding #mackinawisland #mackinawwedding #fallwedding #upnorthmichigan #fortmackinac #octoberwedding #bridalseamstress #weddingseamstress
Kayley and Steven were married on Mackinaw Island at the town overlook near Fort Mackinac in October. Talk about fall beauty!!! She chose a Dreams by Eddy K gown from norahs.bridal with a lace embellished bodice and gorgeous georgette skirt. The shoulders had beautiful sequined flower designs, which needed to be lifted to do the necessary alteration. I carefully removed the stitches, took the shoulders up, and replaced the appliqués by hand. Additional alterations were taking in the bodice sides slightly and hemming the skirt front. Congratulations Kayley & Steven!! eddyk_bridal norahs.bridal #seamstress #bridalalterationsspecialist #weddingalterations #michiganwedding #mackinawisland #mackinawwedding #fallwedding #upnorthmichigan #fortmackinac #octoberwedding #bridalseamstress #weddingseamstress
#fortmackinac #mackinacisland
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