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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Visit Fort Mackinac Website >>>>
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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.
Hanging out in front of Fort Mackinac... on the blog! ❤️
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
Just heavenly! ❄️☃️❄️ www.iroquoishotel.com
Meanwhile, on an Island …. #mackinacisland #fortmackinac #Island #vacation #vibes #ootd #travel #traveltheworld
Meanwhile, on an Island …. #mackinacisland #fortmackinac #Island #vacation #vibes #ootd #travel #traveltheworld
A quiet night. #fortmackinac #mackinacislandlife #mackinacisland #mymackinac
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.
Walking up the steep hill to Fort Mackinac is worth it for the view of the harbor. We’ve been so lucky with beautiful weather each day too. I definitely don’t want to go home tomorrow! #mackinacisland #mighigan #fortmackinac
Walking up the steep hill to Fort Mackinac is worth it for the view of the harbor. We’ve been so lucky with beautiful weather each day too. I definitely don’t want to go home tomorrow! #mackinacisland #mighigan #fortmackinac
Fort Mackinac on Mackinaw Island
Boy these storms—-when they come sweeping across the Great Lakes—-can be something to watch. Never seen a sky quite like this before. This is right over the top of Fort Mackinac. And did you know, there was quiet a fight between the British and Americans for the fort and the island itself in the War of 1812? Like so much of the War of 1812, this battle was fought in 1814. The British, with great help from Native American fighters took the island at the beginning of the war. But by July of 1814, American ships appeared on the horizon. A plan was afoot to retake the island. Two days of bombarding the fort did little—-except give the British warning of a coming attack. A thick fog then delayed the coming attack. When the Americans did land, the British were more than ready for them. Their casualties were 2. American casualties totaled 68. American forces retreated to their ships, and the fort and island remained in British hands. Until the war ended, and negotiatiors put it firmly back in American control! Thank goodness! It’s one of the most picturesque and historical places in our great country! #hoonerpics #historytime #mackinacisland #fortmackinac #fox10phoenix
Boy these storms—-when they come sweeping across the Great Lakes—-can be something to watch. Never seen a sky quite like this before. This is right over the top of Fort Mackinac. And did you know, there was quiet a fight between the British and Americans for the fort and the island itself in the War of 1812? Like so much of the War of 1812, this battle was fought in 1814. The British, with great help from Native American fighters took the island at the beginning of the war. But by July of 1814, American ships appeared on the horizon. A plan was afoot to retake the island. Two days of bombarding the fort did little—-except give the British warning of a coming attack. A thick fog then delayed the coming attack. When the Americans did land, the British were more than ready for them. Their casualties were 2. American casualties totaled 68. American forces retreated to their ships, and the fort and island remained in British hands. Until the war ended, and negotiatiors put it firmly back in American control! Thank goodness! It’s one of the most picturesque and historical places in our great country! #hoonerpics #historytime #mackinacisland #fortmackinac #fox10phoenix
Most people associate stunning fall colors in the US with New England, but completely overlook another incredible option: the Midwest! And within the Midwest, I honestly think Michigan has some of the best fall colors in the country. (There, I said it!) This photo, for example, isn’t from New England, but rather is from Mackinac Island, a popular summer resort island in Michigan. While Mackinac isn’t known for its fall color (its delicious fudge and ban on cars are way more famous), there are nevertheless lots of colors to enjoy this time of year. So I guess my point is... don’t write off the Midwest when it comes to fall color! (Also, expect lots more fall color photos in the coming weeks 😬.) Would you have ever guessed this photo was taken in Michigan? Also, what else would you like to know about Mackinac Island? I’ll share more info about this quirky spot in my next post.
Most people associate stunning fall colors in the US with New England, but completely overlook another incredible option: the Midwest! And within the Midwest, I honestly think Michigan has some of the best fall colors in the country. (There, I said it!) This photo, for example, isn’t from New England, but rather is from Mackinac Island, a popular summer resort island in Michigan. While Mackinac isn’t known for its fall color (its delicious fudge and ban on cars are way more famous), there are nevertheless lots of colors to enjoy this time of year. So I guess my point is... don’t write off the Midwest when it comes to fall color! (Also, expect lots more fall color photos in the coming weeks 😬.) Would you have ever guessed this photo was taken in Michigan? Also, what else would you like to know about Mackinac Island? I’ll share more info about this quirky spot in my next post.
The first cannon of the season! 2019 Lilac Queen Ava Sehoyan fired today’s cannon at mackinac_parks! Downtown is bustling and the sun keeps peeking through. It’s going to be a great year! 🐴🌷🚴♀️ . . . . . #mymackinac #mackinacisland #fortmackinac #islandlife #history #historictravel #michigantravel #travelmichigan #michiganroadtrip #midwestroadtrip
The first cannon of the season! 2019 Lilac Queen Ava Sehoyan fired today’s cannon at mackinac_parks! Downtown is bustling and the sun keeps peeking through. It’s going to be a great year! 🐴🌷🚴♀️ . . . . . #mymackinac #mackinacisland #fortmackinac #islandlife #history #historictravel #michigantravel #travelmichigan #michiganroadtrip #midwestroadtrip
🧨Happy 4th of July!🧨 We celebrated by taking in a little history on #mackinacisland 🐴 #happy4thofjuly #july4th #independenceday #fortmackinac #upnorth #exploringthemitten #familytime #cancerfamily #neuroblastoma #cnsrelapse #chemohair #rejoicealways #praywithoutceasing #noonefightsalone #prayersforpryce
🧨Happy 4th of July!🧨 We celebrated by taking in a little history on #mackinacisland 🐴 #happy4thofjuly #july4th #independenceday #fortmackinac #upnorth #exploringthemitten #familytime #cancerfamily #neuroblastoma #cnsrelapse #chemohair #rejoicealways #praywithoutceasing #noonefightsalone #prayersforpryce
#fortmackinac #mackinacisland
Tunnel of trees and Mackinac Island. Til next time 🤍 #Family #LaborDay22 #TunnelOfTrees #M119 #LittleMooseCabin #LegsInn #HarborSprings #Petosky #GoodHart #MackinacIsland #FortMackinac #PinkPony #LakeMichigan #PureMichigan #TakeMeBack
Tunnel of trees and Mackinac Island. Til next time 🤍 #Family #LaborDay22 #TunnelOfTrees #M119 #LittleMooseCabin #LegsInn #HarborSprings #Petosky #GoodHart #MackinacIsland #FortMackinac #PinkPony #LakeMichigan #PureMichigan #TakeMeBack
Today we took the dogs back in time and brought them to Mackinac Island for the first time! What an amazing day we had! They even posed for this photo at Fort Mackinac! It was a beautiful day too! . . #dogfamily #huskyfamily #huskyheaven #huskypack #dogpack #packgoals #packlove #happydogs #mydogs #mydogismy #mydogismyfamily #mydogismybestfriend #fortheloveofdogs #mychildrenhavepaws #fluffydogs #fluffers #instadogs #northernbreed #thisismackinac #mackinacislandlife #mackinacisle #fortmackinac #mittenstate #mymackinac #mackinacisland #michiganawesome #puremichigan #puremittigan #michigan
Today we took the dogs back in time and brought them to Mackinac Island for the first time! What an amazing day we had! They even posed for this photo at Fort Mackinac! It was a beautiful day too! . . #dogfamily #huskyfamily #huskyheaven #huskypack #dogpack #packgoals #packlove #happydogs #mydogs #mydogismy #mydogismyfamily #mydogismybestfriend #fortheloveofdogs #mychildrenhavepaws #fluffydogs #fluffers #instadogs #northernbreed #thisismackinac #mackinacislandlife #mackinacisle #fortmackinac #mittenstate #mymackinac #mackinacisland #michiganawesome #puremichigan #puremittigan #michigan
Morning prowl #sunrise #fortmackinac #columbine #tulips #hyacinths #starrynight #fragrantpainting #secretgarden #mackinacislandtuliptimetour #gocollette
Morning prowl #sunrise #fortmackinac #columbine #tulips #hyacinths #starrynight #fragrantpainting #secretgarden #mackinacislandtuliptimetour #gocollette
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The Market Street Inn provides a quaint, smoke-free atmosphere. Come enjoy the perfect blend of turn of the century charm and 21st century comfort. Our goal is to make you feel welcome!
The funniest comedy show on Mackinac Island! (Never mind, it’s the only one.)
16th Annual Mackinac Island Valentine, Chili Cookoff, Postcard Memento Poker Scenic Ski Rally, Walk Weekend February 11, 12 & 13
