Mackinac State Historic Parks prepares for new season

Jillian Fellows, The Petoskey News-Review
The oldest public building in Michigan is at Fort Mackinac. It was used as housing for officers during the Revolutionary War.
The oldest public building in Michigan is at Fort Mackinac. It was used as housing for officers during the Revolutionary War.

MACKINAC ISLAND — Some of Mackinac State Historic Parks’ most popular sites will open for the 2024 season on May 3.

Both Fort Mackinac, located on the bluff overlooking downtown Mackinac Island, and the Mackinac Island State Park Visitor’s Center, located inside the former Mackinac Island Coast Guard Station on Main Street, will open at 9 a.m. on Friday.

“After a busy winter, we are excited to begin welcoming guests back to our sites,” said Mackinac State Historic Parks Director Steve Brisson in a press release.

Reigning Lilac Festival Queen Isabella Nitzschke will kick off the season at Fort Mackinac by firing the opening cannon.

At the fort, guests will be able to explore two new programs this year: “Medicine at Mackinac,” where interpreters will provide the history of army surgeons and how the army began changing military medicine in the 1880s, as well as a Guard Mount Program were guests will see how soldiers would conduct this complex military ceremony.

Interpretation coordinator Jack Swartzinski said in a statement that “2024 will be an exciting year because we are continuing to expand the programs we offer as well as adding greater depth to our classic programs, creating a fun and educational experience for anyone coming to Mackinac Island.”

An archaeologist at Colonial Michilimackinac is watched by guests.
An archaeologist at Colonial Michilimackinac is watched by guests.

The rest of the Mackinac State Historic Parks sites are slated to open later this month, including:

  • Colonial Michilimackinac, in Mackinaw City, will open May 8

  • Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse opens May 9

  • Historic Mill Creek, Biddle House, featuring the Mackinac Island Native American Museum, Benjamin Blacksmith Shop and The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum opens May 10

For more information, visit mackinacparks.com.

— Contact Jillian Fellows at jfellows@petoskeynews.com.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Mackinac State Historic Parks prepares for 2024 season

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