Explore the Free and Enslaved People Who Worked For John Askin
It took a lot of people to keep the community of Michilimackinac working. Join the interpretive staff at Colonial Michilimackinac August 2-3 as they explore the lives of the people, both free and enslaved, who worked for the merchant John Askin at Michilimackinac in the 1770s.
“We’ll be doing things that are truly special that guests wouldn’t be able to see otherwise,” said Craig Wilson, Mackinac State Historic Parks Chief Curator. “Even if someone has visited in the past, there is always something new to see or do.”
Staff and more than 20 volunteers will demonstrate the various work performed by Askin’s employees, who included sailors, bakers, gardeners, cooks, voyageurs, laundresses, and more. Informal demonstrations will be taking place in and around the fort throughout the event.
The daily schedule at Colonial Michilimackinac will be adjusted for the weekend:
- 9:30 a.m. – Colonial Michilimackinac Open for the Day
- 10:00 a.m. – Bales, Barrels and Boxes: Supplying the Great Lakes Fur Trade Program
- 11:00 a.m. – Askin’s People Program
- 12:00 p.m. – Michilimackinac’s Enslaved Community Program
- 1:00 p.m. – Gardens of Michilimackinac Program
- 2:00 p.m. – Maritime Michilimackinac Program
- 3:00 p.m. – Voyageur Games
- 4:00 p.m. – Askin’s People Program
- 5:00 p.m. – Some Tea and Loaf Sugar: Tea at the British Trader’s House Program
- 6:00 p.m. – People of the Fur Trade Program
- 7:00 p.m. – Colonial Michilimackinac Closed for the Evening
Funding for many Mackinac State Historic Parks programs comes from Mackinac Associates, friends preserving and sharing Mackinac’s heritage.
All special events and programs are included with regular admission to Colonial Michilimackinac. Colonial Michilimackinac will be open 9:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. during the event. More information can be found at mackinacparks.com.
