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More information about Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse:

Exhibits

Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse blends a variety of interpretive styles to present the lighthouse's history to visitors. Costumed interpreters, tower tours, original artifacts, interactive exhibits, historic images, interpretive panels, and a period setting combine to reveal the rich story of Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse. Below are some interpretive highlights of a visit to the lighthouse.

Click on Exhibits to view exhibits at other Mackinac State Historic Parks sites.

Interpreter in early twentieth-century costume ready to answer questions.

Costumed Interpreters

Costumed interpreters are on hand to share history of the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse and guide small groups to the top of the lighthouse tower. Lightkeeper Charlie is posing in one of the new period settings at the lighthouse.

Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse Tower.

Tower Tour

A costumed interpreter leads you up 50 feet to the lantern room of the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse Tower. Enjoy a panoramic view of the Mackinac Straits with unique photographic perspectives of the Mackinac Bridge and Mackinac Island. As you take in the spectacular view the interpreter will share some of the lighthouse's history and will answer your questions.

View from the watch room's east porthole.

Tower Tour - Watch Room

If you can climb the 51 steps of the tower's spiral staircase, but don't want to climb the 11 rung vertical ladder through a narrow access opening to the lantern room, you will reach the tower's watch room and have a dramatic view of the Mackinac Straits and Mackinaw City from four portholes.

View of the Mackinac Bridge from the lantern room.

Tower Tour - Lantern Room

Once you reach the lantern room you will stand where the original Fresnel lens once rotated and you will be able to look at a breathtaking view of the Mackinac Straits.

Tower tour access video.

Tower Tour Access Video

If you choose not to climb to the top of the tower, you can see the experience through an access video on the first floor.

Original fresnel lens of the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse.

Fresnel Lens

On the first floor you will be able to see the original Fresnel lens of the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse.

Original artifacts found during the lighthouse restoration.

Bits of History - Exhibit Case

View a collection of original artifacts found during restoration work at the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse. They are exhibited in the newly restored service room leading to the tower.

Lighthouse tower door key.

Bits of History - Tower Key

See the original tower door key that was found hidden on a beam in the watch room.

Red lantern glass fragments.

Bits of History - Red Lantern Fragements

See some of the original red lantern glass fragments that were found in the tower.

Original match box, wrapper, and matches.

Bits of History - Matches

View some of the original matches found in the tower that were used to light the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse light.

Night Time Navigator is one of the four interactive exhibits in the lighthouse.

Night Time Navigator

One of the four interactive lighthouse exhibits is the Night Time Navigator. The visitor navigates a ship through the Mackinac Straits using navigational aids. Be careful not to sink your ship.

The Beacon, one of four interactive exhibits in our lighthouse

The Beacon

The Beacon is another of our interactive exhibits. Visitors can light and rotate a miniature Fresnel Lens in a model of our lantern room.

Lighthouse Keeper's Uniform

Lighthouse Keeper Uniforms

See the real uniforms of two former Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse Keepers.

Kitchen period setting circa 1910.

Kitchen Period Setting Circa 1910

View a circa 1910 kitchen period setting in the east duplex of the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse.

Historic photograph of the original construction and construction crew of the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse.

Historic Photographs

Historic photographs are used to strengthen the visual interpretation of the lighthouse. Powerful images, such as the original construction of the lighthouse, help the visitor to visualize Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse's history.