Day 2: Colonial Fort Michilimackinac in Photos

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Day 1
Day 2: Parks
Day 2: Colonial Fort Michilimackinac
Day 2: Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse
Day 2: Dairy Queen, The Campfire, & The Bridge

On day 2, the first thing I had on our agenda was to go visit Colonial Fort Michilimackinac. This is located just to the west side of the Mackinac Bridge- in fact, the welcome center for it, and gift shop, are located UNDER the bridge. We were able to hear when bigger vehicles passed over our heads!

The Mackinac area boasts 4 historical parks, and the price to get into them varies. You can buy a pass to get into 3 of them for $65 for 1 adult and 3 kids (or more if it's 2 adults, etc). For the same price, I could buy a family pass to get into all 4 parks as often as I like this summer (not that we'll likely be heading back this summer), plus it comes with 4 newsletters to be mailed to me, and a 15% discount when we buy things from the souviner shop.

I went ahead and purchased the family pass for the same cost, so that we could see all 4 parks, and so we could get some souvenirs at a discount. Now, as I said, our first stop was Colonial Fort Michilimackinac.

This fort is a recreation based on archaeological digs of the site, which started back in the 50's, and are on-going even still today. The site of the fort is the longest on-going archaeological dig in the US. During the summer months- early June to mid August, a team of professional archaeologists are on site, digging and learning what buildings were where in the fort.

The fort was originally settled by the French, to open a fur trading post. The Indians of the area needed and wanted items that were French made, items they couldn't get or make themselves. The French, on the other hand, valued the pelts of many of the animals found in Northern Michigan, and used the furs for many items, including Beaver felt hats.

In 1715, the Fort was built by the French. During this time frame, there was much tension between the French & Indians, later leading to the French & Indian War. In 1761, the British took control of the Fort. Just two years later, in 1763, as part of Pontiac's Uprising, the Indians captured the fort. By 1764, the Indians had given the fort back to the British, who remained in control until the 1780's, when they built a new fort high on the hills of Mackinac Island.

Fort Michilimackinac was burned to the ground. Today, archaeologists dig to find the ruins, and have been able to add to the buildings through out the years, based on what they find deep in the dirt. They have found charred timbers, stone foundations, and could even tell where both gardens and the kitchens would have been, based on the high quantity of animal bones found in specific areas.

The fort we visited last week is already vastly different from the fort I visited as a child, as many new buildings and walls have been discovered. The fort my grandkids will visit (in 30 years, when the kids are allowed to have kids of their own!), will also be vastly different.

Our day started by arriving just in time for the welcoming canon. Every 2 hours, they fire a historic canon to welcome people to the fort. They do not use a real canon ball. Instead, they put some gun powder into a small (historically accurate, I'm sure) tin foil ball, and fire it into the water.

After that ended, we were invited to join the soldiers in a game of Baggitaway, which is basically lacross. The kids and I, plus 1 little old lady, were the only ones to join in. It was fun! Chris & I were on one team, the girls and the older lady were on the other team. Chris and I were able to win, though!

When we finished, I was approached by a woman who works in publications for the historical parks. She had taken photos, and wanted to know if we would be all right having our photo available on the website for a explanation as to what Baggitaway is- of course I said yes! She also gave me her contact info, and said if I wanted copies, to email her and she would email me copies of the photos.

I haven't yet, but plan to, since I wasn't able to take photos during the game.

During the summer months, the fort has demonstrations planned for every 15 minutes, but the only other one we sat in on, was when they did the rifle demonstration. The kids loved that! The one I wanted to see was the wedding in the old Catholic Church. However, the kids veto'ed that!

All in all, it was a fun visit, and the kids had a blast. They learned some of the history of Michigan, and were able to participate in it. They even talked with one of the archaeologists about the dig they were doing. In a year or two, it's likely that a new building of some sort will sit where they are exploring. Two years ago when I went with Rae's class, they were digging in an area where a new bread oven sits.

If you are a history buff, and are in the area, I highly recommend stopping by the Colonial Fort Michilimackinac. It is well worth the trip!