This summer, history doesn’t just come alive at Mackinac State Historic Parks—it booms, echoes, and surrounds you. In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, a bold lineup of hands-on, after-hours, and curator-led experiences invites visitors to go beyond observation and take part in the story.
From firing morning cannon salutes to digging deep into the rich history of Revolutionary War-era sites, 2026 is your chance to experience and explore the American Revolution in a way few ever have.
Fire the First Shot of the Day
At both Colonial Michilimackinac and Fort Mackinac, visitors can take command of history—literally. Each program is $100 and offers general admission to the respective site. Programs can be booked here.
At Colonial Michilimackinac, stand at the edge of the Straits, brass cannon aimed toward the horizon, as the fort awakens around you. Guided by a historic interpreter, you’ll prepare the weapon step by step. Then comes the moment—the command rings out: “FIRE!”—and you launch the ceremonial blast that opens the fort for the day.
High above Mackinac Island, with downtown stirring below and the Mackinac Bridge stretching across the skyline, you’ll take your place beside the iconic Fort Mackinac cannon. As reveille echoes across the bluff, you’ll fire the first cannon volley of the morning—an unforgettable start to any day on the island.
After Hours: The Fort Is Yours
As the sun begins to set and the crowds drift away, something special happens at Colonial Michilimackinac—you’re invited to stay behind. At Guns Across the Straits, a private experience, you’ll fire all four black powder weapons used at the fort: the Short Land Musket, the powerful Wall Gun, the Coehorn Mortar, and, as the grand finale, the cannon. It’s history at full volume, set against the quiet of an evening on the Straits. Guns Across the Straits is offered June 6-October 1. The program is $250 and includes two general admission tickets to Colonial Michilimackinac.
Go Deeper with a Curator
For those drawn to the stories beneath the surface, expert-led tours offer a richer connection to Mackinac’s past. The Revolution at Mackinac, offered at Colonial Michilimackinac, is offered Wednesdays beginning June 10. The Military History of Fort Mackinac, on Mackinac Island, is offered Fridays beginning June 12. Each program is $75 and includes general admission to the site as well.
This 90-minute guided tour at Colonial Michilimackinac explores the site’s role during the American Revolution. Walk through the reconstructed 18th-century community as a curator reveals how British forces and their Anishnaabek allies experienced and shaped events both locally and along the Atlantic coast. This tour will let you take a deeper look at the lives of the people who called Michilimackinac home during the tumultuous years of the American Revolution.
The Military History of Fort Mackinac
Step inside more than a century of military evolution. From its Revolutionary War origins to its role in the War of 1812 and beyond, this in-depth tour traces how Fort Mackinac adapted to changing times. Discover original fortifications, later additions, and the surprising connections to early national parks and tourism.
A Once-in-a-Generation Invitation
America250 is more than a commemoration—it’s a chance to engage with the past in vivid, meaningful ways. Whether you’re firing a cannon, exploring after hours, or walking alongside a curator through centuries of history, Mackinac State Historic Parks offers experiences that are as powerful as they are personal.
Mackinac Associates are friends preserving and sharing Mackinac’s rich heritage, and support many Mackinac State Historic Parks programs. Learn more here.
Fort Mackinac opens for the season May 1 and runs through October 24. Colonial Michilimackinac opens May 6 and operates through October 11. More information can be found at mackinacparks.com. Additional pictures are available upon request. A downloadable version of this release can be found here.
This summer, history doesn’t just come alive at Mackinac State Historic Parks—it booms, echoes, and surrounds you. In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, a bold lineup of hands-on, after-hours, and curator-led experiences invites visitors to go beyond observation and take part in the story.
From firing morning cannon salutes to digging deep into the rich history of Revolutionary War-era sites, 2026 is your chance to experience and explore the American Revolution in a way few ever have.
Fire the First Shot of the Day
At both Colonial Michilimackinac and Fort Mackinac, visitors can take command of history—literally. Each program is $100 and offers general admission to the respective site. Programs can be booked here.
At Colonial Michilimackinac, stand at the edge of the Straits, brass cannon aimed toward the horizon, as the fort awakens around you. Guided by a historic interpreter, you’ll prepare the weapon step by step. Then comes the moment—the command rings out: “FIRE!”—and you launch the ceremonial blast that opens the fort for the day.
High above Mackinac Island, with downtown stirring below and the Mackinac Bridge stretching across the skyline, you’ll take your place beside the iconic Fort Mackinac cannon. As reveille echoes across the bluff, you’ll fire the first cannon volley of the morning—an unforgettable start to any day on the island.
After Hours: The Fort Is Yours
As the sun begins to set and the crowds drift away, something special happens at Colonial Michilimackinac—you’re invited to stay behind. At Guns Across the Straits, a private experience, you’ll fire all four black powder weapons used at the fort: the Short Land Musket, the powerful Wall Gun, the Coehorn Mortar, and, as the grand finale, the cannon. It’s history at full volume, set against the quiet of an evening on the Straits. Guns Across the Straits is offered June 6-October 1. The program is $250 and includes two general admission tickets to Colonial Michilimackinac.
Go Deeper with a Curator
For those drawn to the stories beneath the surface, expert-led tours offer a richer connection to Mackinac’s past. The Revolution at Mackinac, offered at Colonial Michilimackinac, is offered Wednesdays beginning June 10. The Military History of Fort Mackinac, on Mackinac Island, is offered Fridays beginning June 12. Each program is $75 and includes general admission to the site as well.
This 90-minute guided tour at Colonial Michilimackinac explores the site’s role during the American Revolution. Walk through the reconstructed 18th-century community as a curator reveals how British forces and their Anishnaabek allies experienced and shaped events both locally and along the Atlantic coast. This tour will let you take a deeper look at the lives of the people who called Michilimackinac home during the tumultuous years of the American Revolution.
The Military History of Fort Mackinac
Step inside more than a century of military evolution. From its Revolutionary War origins to its role in the War of 1812 and beyond, this in-depth tour traces how Fort Mackinac adapted to changing times. Discover original fortifications, later additions, and the surprising connections to early national parks and tourism.
A Once-in-a-Generation Invitation
America250 is more than a commemoration—it’s a chance to engage with the past in vivid, meaningful ways. Whether you’re firing a cannon, exploring after hours, or walking alongside a curator through centuries of history, Mackinac State Historic Parks offers experiences that are as powerful as they are personal.
Mackinac Associates are friends preserving and sharing Mackinac’s rich heritage, and support many Mackinac State Historic Parks programs. Learn more here.
Fort Mackinac opens for the season May 1 and runs through October 24. Colonial Michilimackinac opens May 6 and operates through October 11. More information can be found at mackinacparks.com. Additional pictures are available upon request. A downloadable version of this release can be found here.
