Colonial Michilimackinac

Treasures from the past come to life at this 18th-century fort and fur trading village, reconstructed based on historic maps and more than 60 years of archaeological excavations. As you walk through Colonial Michilimackinac, you are stepping back in time to 1775, as the American Revolution began. Here, you will see and hear how the growing conflict affected this thriving fur trading community.

Historical interpreters representing voyageurs, British soldiers, and French-Canadian merchant families are stationed throughout the fort to answer your questions and perform demonstrations. The past and present blur into a fascinating and unmatched experience at Colonial Michilimackinac. Watch smoke billow from cannons, mortars and muskets and see residents prepare food and tend the gardens. At one of the longest ongoing archaeological excavations in North America, archaeologists are on site throughout the summer, pulling history from the soil, bit by bit.

Located on the shore of the Straits of Mackinac, visitors can enjoy stunning views of the Mackinac Bridge, the straits, and the Upper Peninsula.

Enjoy 13 reconstructed buildings, exciting exhibits such as Treasures from the Sand, the Commanding Officer's Home, France at Mackinac, and the Kids' Rendezvous Interpretive Play area. Two unique stores are also on the grounds - the expansive Visitor's Center under the Mackinac Bridge, and the Hearthside, in the South Southwest Rowhouse.