Home / Do on Mackinac Island / History
HISTORY
Time seems to stand still on Mackinac Island not only because there are no cars, but also because there are two historic military forts and a handful of the oldest buildings in Michigan. Just by being here you’ll feel like you’re back in the past! Mackinac Island is home to many beautiful examples of Victorian architecture among the cottages and B&Bs that, in many cases, are well over 100 years old. The Island’s museums and reenactments by costumed interpreters also offer glimpses into the 19th-century lives of both soldiers and civilians.
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American Fur Company Store and Dr. Beaumont Museum
On this site in 1822, Alexis St. Martin, a voyageur, was injured by an accidental gunshot wound. The unusual healing of the wound allowed Dr. William Beaumont, Fort Mackinac’s post…
Benjamin Blacksmith Shop
Originally built in the 1880s, Robert Benjamin and later his son, Herbert, ran a blacksmith shop into the 1960s. The contents of the shop were moved to the reconstructed building…
Biddle House
Biddle House features the Mackinac Island Native American Museum. A Time of Change. As an Anishnaabek woman, Agatha Biddle and other indigenous people witnessed their culture subjected to immense changes…
British Landing
During the night of July 16-17, 1812, a small force of British regulars and several hundred voyageurs and Indian allies landed and occupied a height that overlooked Fort Mackinac and…
Cemeteries
Our cemeteries are quiet and reverent places. While you can walk them respectfully or view from a distance. These final resting places of our Island’s historic figures, are for the…
Fort Holmes
After the British and their allies captured Fort Mackinac during the War of 1812, they quickly built a small outpost and called it Fort George. When the Americans regained the…
Fort Mackinac
Founded during the American Revolution, the British captured the Fort in the very first engagement on American soil in the War of 1812. Inside, 14 original buildings, cannon salutes, bugle…
Fort Mackinac Post Cemetery
The Post Cemetery is the final resting place for Fort Mackinac soldiers, their families and local officials. Although the origin of the Cemetery is lost in history, local lore suggests…
Grand Hotel Stable & Carriage Museum
The Grand Stables, located minutes away from the hotel near Surrey Hill and just across from Wings of Mackinac Butterfly Conservatory, is free of charge and open to all Mackinac…
Horse in History Museum
Mackinac Horsemen’s Association is excited to showcase this compilation of photographs at the entrance of the Mackinac Community Equestrian Center (MCEC) showing Mackinac Island’s unique horse culture. From photos selected…
McGulpin House
This house has been opened to the public as a barebones restoration that shows how it would have appeared around 1820. The McGulpins were a working-class family who would not…
Mission House
The Mission House is a historic structure located adjacent to Mission Point Resort. Built in 1825, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The interior is not open to…
Richard & Jane Manoogian Art Museum
The newest museum on the Island comes by the generous contributions of Richard and Jane Manoogian and showcases Native American baskets to present-day paintings. It’s a three-level structure that focuses…
Stuart House Museum
Stuart House Museum illuminates the Island’s history and is where John Jacob Astor made his living as a fur trader during the 1800s.
Surrey Hills Carriage Museum
An antique carriage museum that features a working blacksmith shop, Surrey Hills lets you explore and learn about carriages. Three shops offer food, gifts, and souvenirs. There is a picnic…
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After a long day of exploring the Island, head to winchestersofmackinac for one of your favorite brews 🍻 ...
I've photographed countless weddings on Mackinac Island... I still feel like I find new inspiration in unexpected places like this background for Emily + Ryan.
Tap here andrejkaphotography to see more of their Northern Michigan summer wedding photos.
Save + share your favorites with a friend who loves Mackinac!
Emily + Ryan's Wedding Vendors:
Wedding Ceremony: Ste. Anne Catholic Church
Wedding Planner: mittenweddings
Wedding Venue: islandhousemackinac
Wedding Flowers: stignaceinbloom
Wedding Cake: bellaedolce
Wedding Invitations: invitationsbycaitlin
Wedding Music: thebeeentertainment whitepinesentertainment
Wedding Video: 97films
Wedding Favors: joannsfudge
Wedding Dress: elizabethsbridalmanor
Wedding Shoes: bellabelleshoes
Hair & Makeup: vgonmarket
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Mackinac Island makes for a great location for marathon training. Enjoyed a beautiful morning run around the perimeter. Crazy humid at 97% but temps were cool and comfortable. Maybe someday I’ll run 26 miles here… someday 😉
#mymackinac #makeitmackinac #mackinacisland #runningismytherapy #runningmichigan #marathontraining #mentalhealth #runningformentalhealth ...
This weekend we rediscovered the joy of riding a bike just for the fun of it 🚲
#mackinacisland #mackinac #visitmichigan #puremichigan #travelmi #girltraveler #mymackinac ...
Breathtaking couple and sunset! A beautiful summer wedding for Karsten & Nicole at Mission Point this weekend!! 💕🥂💕
Venue: missionpointresort
Florals: stignaceinbloom
Hair & Makeup: lakesidesalonandspa
Cake: bellaedolce
Entertainment: a_listeventgroup
Carriage: goughcarriages ...
Mackinac Island is all about riding in style. 🚲
And by style I mean you won’t find a car on the island. Horses, carriages, and bicycles are the main modes of transportation.
Most visitors opt to rent a bike to explore the historical island.
One of my favorite activities is biking the 8.2 mile trek around the island, Highway M-185. This is the only highway in the U.S. where vehicles are prohibited.
The highway immerses you in the vastness of Lake Huron, takes you below the Arch Rock, and offers one of the world’s largest suspension bridges, the Mackinac Bridge, as a backdrop. 🌉
To bike the island without stopping takes about 1 hour.
Bike rental stations are easy to find downtown after exiting the ferry.
Don’t forget to save this post for your future travel planning to Mackinac Island! 🤍
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#mymackinac #puremichigan #mackinacisland #uniquedestinations #prettyplaces #weekendtraveler ...
there’s something about going riding ✨ on mackinac island ✨ there’s so many places to see and do on the island, but biking the perimeter will always be so special to me. it’s the first thing i did when i went to mackinac for the first time 4 years ago. the blue water, the sounds of the waves crashing against the rocks, the scenery — what’s not to love?! my heart is so happy the first time you fully get to see the shore for the first time! ☀️🚲
#michiganvacation #puremichigan #michigan #michigander #michigrammers #michiganders #onlyinmichigan #igersmichigan #greatlakesstate #greatlakes #michigansun #michiganmade #detroit #detroitphotographer #michigangirl #igersdetroit #mittenstate #beautifuldestination #exploremichigan #michigansummer #mymackinac #mackinac #mackinacisland #islandinthesun ...
Our Painted Turtle Flight is a must have! Enjoy a colorful flight of all four of our Signature Cocktails that include our Great Turtle Vodka, Rum, Whiskey and Gin!🐢🍹
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#MackinacIsland #GreatTurtleBrewing #MyMackinac #MackinacIslandDining #PureMichigan #ShellYeah #MichiganBrewery #MackinacIslandLife #MackinacIsle #Mackinac #MakeItMackinac #GreatLakesState #Dinner #MackinacBridge #Lunch #Michigan #MichiganTourism #NorthernMichigan #UpNorth #VisitMackinacIsland #MackinacIslandTourism #TravelMichigan #GreatTurtle #BreweryAndDistillery #DineMackinac #MichiganCraftBeer #MichiganBeer #BikeMackinac #Brewery #MichiganDining ...
Five of Mackinac’s most prominent features are infused in our most popular design, The Icon.
Inspired by vintage postcards, we chose to carefully embed the island’s unique qualities into the design with sharp and symbolic clues.
At Threads of Mackinac we believe that a place as unique and timeless as Mackinac deserves equally original design. ...
I had so much fun being the wedding photographer for Emily + Ryan's Island House wedding on Mackinac!
Check back daily for more of their Northern Michigan summer wedding.
Save your favorites + share with a friend who's planning a Mackinac Island wedding!
Emily + Ryan's Wedding Vendors:
Wedding Ceremony: Ste. Anne Catholic Church
Wedding Planner: mittenweddings
Wedding Venue: islandhousemackinac
Wedding Flowers: stignaceinbloom
Wedding Cake: bellaedolce
Wedding Invitations: invitationsbycaitlin
Wedding Music: thebeeentertainment whitepinesentertainment
Wedding Video: 97films
Wedding Favors: joannsfudge
Wedding Dress: elizabethsbridalmanor
Wedding Shoes: bellabelleshoes
Hair & Makeup: vgonmarket
#andrejkaphotography #mackinac #mackinacisland #mackinacisle #visitmackinacisland #mymackinac #makeitmackinac #upnorthwedding #travelmichigan #harborsprings #petoskey #bayharbor #charlevoix #mackinacislandphotographer #mackinacislandweddingphotographer #michiganweddingphotographer #michiganweddingphotography #mackinacweddings #mackinacislandweddings
#michiganweddings #michiganwedding #northernmichigan #northernmichiganphotographer #northernmichiganwedding #petoskeyweddingphotographer #weddingvenue #weddingvenuehunting #laceweddingdress #stylemepretty #theknotbestofweddings ...
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#mackinacisland #michigan #puremichigan #islandlife #island #mackinac #lakehuron #travel #northernmichigan #mymackinac #upnorth #lake #photography #nature #greatlakes #summer #naturephotography #makeitmackinac #travelmichigan #travelphotography #usa #mackinacbridge #water #vacation #wanderlust #beach #sunset #explore #grandhotel #lakemichigan ...
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#mackinacisland #michigan #puremichigan #islandlife #island #mackinac #lakehuron #travel #northernmichigan #mymackinac #upnorth #lake #photography #nature #greatlakes #summer #naturephotography #makeitmackinac #travelmichigan #travelphotography #usa #mackinacbridge #water #vacation #wanderlust #beach #sunset #explore #grandhotel #lakemichigan ...
On Emily + Ryan's carriage ride we stopped to take wedding photos along the docks and one of my favorite Mackinac Island spots!
Check back daily for more of their Northern Michigan summer wedding.
Save your favorites + share with a friend who's planning a Mackinac Island wedding!
Emily + Ryan's Wedding Vendors:
Wedding Ceremony: Ste. Anne Catholic Church
Wedding Planner: mittenweddings
Wedding Venue: islandhousemackinac
Wedding Flowers: stignaceinbloom
Wedding Cake: bellaedolce
Wedding Invitations: invitationsbycaitlin
Wedding Music: thebeeentertainment whitepinesentertainment
Wedding Video: 97films
Wedding Favors: joannsfudge
Wedding Dress: elizabethsbridalmanor
Wedding Shoes: bellabelleshoes
Hair & Makeup: vgonmarket
#andrejkaphotography #mackinac #mackinacisland #mackinacisle #visitmackinacisland #mymackinac #makeitmackinac #upnorthwedding #travelmichigan #harborsprings #petoskey #bayharbor #charlevoix #mackinacislandphotographer #mackinacislandweddingphotographer #michiganweddingphotographer #michiganweddingphotography #mackinacweddings #mackinacislandweddings
#michiganweddings #michiganwedding #northernmichigan #northernmichiganphotographer #northernmichiganwedding #petoskeyweddingphotographer #weddingvenue #weddingvenuehunting #laceweddingdress #stylemepretty #theknotbestofweddings ...
Everything you see is mine! 😎
#dogadventures #outdoordog #doglife #happydog #hikingwithdogs #hikingadventures #bestday #summervibes #july4thweekend #visitmichigan #mackinacisland #rescuedog #mymackinac ...
Fourth of July fireworks from Fort Mackinac.
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#mackinacisland #mackinac #mymackinac #greatlakes #greatlakesstate #puremichigan #puremittigan #puremittenpride #michigan #northernmichigan #mlive #canonphotography #fireworks #4thofjuly ...
⛵️Available!⛵️Summer is here! I hope you’re soaking up these beautiful days out on the lake. This “Mackinac Marina” canvas reproduction is just the thing to put some wind in your sails! 15x18”, $350 shipped, DM to purchase. ❤️
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#mackinacisland #makeitmackinac #sailing #sailboat #puremichigan #sailinglife #sailinginstagram #mackinac #mymackinac #wavepainting #petoskeyartist #marybeaart #petoskey ...