Current & Completed Projects

A Continuous Work In Progress

Mackinac Associates is committed to preserving and protecting the rich history and natural wonder of the Straits of Mackinac. We take on projects that are long-lasting and will be impactful for many years to come. Below is a sampling of a few of our projects that we’ve completed or have ongoing work in progress.

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT:

Biddle House

Step into the home of Agatha and Edward Biddle, merchants who moved in around 1830. This was a time of change, and the 1830s were critical to the Biddles for another reason: as an Anishnaabek woman, Agatha and other indigenous people witnessed their culture subjected to immense changes. The decade transformed the Anishnaabek, linking old ways with Michigan’s modern indigenous culture.

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Highlighted Projects:

  • Funding Exhibits at the Milliken Nature Center at Arch Rock

  • Funding the "Slavery at the Straits" Exhibit at Colonial Michilimackinac

  • Purchasing Black Powder for Cannon and Rifle Demonstrations

  • Funding for a New Forge at the Blacksmith Shop

  • Vignette publication support: "Where Horse is King: Mackinac Island's Automobile Ban"

  • Funding for an updated exhibit at the McGulpin House in downtown Mackinac Island

  • Funding of the renovation of the Biddle House to include the Mackinac Island Native American Museum

  • Supporting the production of the PBS documentary "Mackinac: Our Famous Island"

  • Purchase of Portraits of Arent and Rebecca Depeyster

  • Renovation of the Fort Mackinac Office exhibit (formerly the Post Headquarters)

  • Funding production of a new orientation video at Colonial Michilimackinac Kings Storehouse

  • Native American Cultural History Trail

  • Mackinac Island Peace Garden

  • Ongoing Award-Winning Archaeology at Fort Michilimackinac

  • Acquiring Artifacts and Historical Pieces for Our Collection

  • Reconstruction of Fort Holmes on Mackinac Island

2025 Projects Funded

2024 Projects Funded

  • New exhibit at the Milliken Nature Center on Mackinac Island, Arch Rock: Unsurpassed in Nature’s Beauty

  • New exhibit in the addition to the Southwest Rowhouse at Colonial Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City: Slavery at the Straits

  • Replaced worn interpretive panels at Mackinac State Historic Parks sites

  • New signs at Historic Mill Creek and the Mackinaw City Welcome Center

  • Canoe repair at Colonial Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City

  • Park improvements, including a new tent, new flagpoles, and flower baskets

  • Staffing support for the art studio attendant on Mackinac Island

  • Prize money for the annual juried art contest at the Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum on Mackinac Island

  • Labor and supplies for black powder rifle, musket, and canon firing demonstrations at Fort Mackinac and Colonial Michilimackinac

2023 Projects Funded

  • Updated exhibit at the McGulpin House

  • UV filters to installed on windows of all MSHP historic buildings to prevent damage

  • Collections supplies for IMLS (Institute for Museum and Library Service) archeology project

  • Knockboxes to allow fire departments access to Mackinac Island and Mackinaw City sites

  • Water fountains with water bottle re-fillers

  • Sign upgrades and replacements for Mackinac State Historic Parks

  • Black powder purchase and reloading for weapons fired at MSHP sites

  • Photography for a future art publication

  • Vignette publication: Where Horse Is King: Mackinac Island’s Motor Vehicle Ban

  • Funding for the annual juried art contest at the Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum

  • Mackinac State Historic Parks education outreach program

2022 Projects Funded

  • Electrical upgrades for Schoolhouse building in Fort Mackinac

  • Replaced circuit panel in Hill Quarters

  • Touchscreens within exhibits at Fort Mackinac and Colonial Michilimackinac

  • New projector for Fort Mackinac Post Hospital

  • Colonial Michilimackinac Southwest Rowhouse design plan

  • Repurposing of a barn building to move blacksmith shop outside fort walls to more historically correct location

  • Purchasing of supplies for the Blacksmith shop at Colonial Michilimackinac

  • Updates to the Beaumont Exhibit in the American Fur Company building

  • Sign upgrades and replacements for Mackinac State Historic Parks

  • Continuation of the McGulpin House Dendroarchaeology Study

2021 Projects Funded

  • Kids’ Quarters exhibit renovation at Fort Mackinac, Phase 2

  • Rehousing of maps and blueprints for Mackinac State Historic Parks

  • Lamp globes for the posts around Marquette Park

  • Upkeep and replacement of exterior interpretive signage throughout the Parks

  • Online education content for the “Explore at Home” program

  • Development of new education outreach programs

  • Archaeology field school

  • Oak chairs for the Keith R. Widder Library at the Petersen Center in Mackinaw City

  • M-Live online advertisement campaign promoting Mackinac State Historic Parks

  • Development and implementation of orientation films throughout the Parks

  • Accessibility scooters for Colonial Michilimackinac and Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park

  • Round banquet tables for special events

  • Microfilming of the Mackinac Island Town Crier, Mackinac Island’s newspaper

2020 Projects Funded

  • New documentary A Pride of Purpose: The Story of Mackinac National Park now showing in the Soldiers’ Barracks at Fort Mackinac

  • Supplies for the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences grant project for the archeology program

  • Replaced worn/damaged interpretive panels at all Mackinac State Historic Parks sites.

  • Labor and supplies for black powder rifle, musket, and canon firing demonstrations at Fort Mackinac and Colonial Michilimackinac

  • Increased storage for library and archeological collections at the Petersen Center in Mackinaw City

  • Flower baskets and garden maintenance at Marquette Park on Mackinac Island

  • Funding support for an art studio attendant and a natural resources intern

  • Supplies for education outreach program, including a laptop, projector, and student activity books

  • Kid’s Quarters exhibit renovation at Fort Mackinac, Phase 1

  • Production for Heritage of Mackinac and Beaumont Museum films

  • Sounds of the Forest installation at Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park

  • Cannon barrel for Fort Mackinac

  • Energy efficiency upgrades throughout Mackinac Island State Park

  • Upkeep and replacement of exterior interpretive signage throughout the Parks

  • MAM AV upgrade for the Gardiner prints and maps collection

  • Outreach and special event equipment upgrades

  • Bark roofing at Colonial Michilimackinac southwest rowhouse

  • Increased marketing for Mackinac State Historic Parks

  • Publication of the Pratt Photo Album collection

  • Funding in celebration of the Mackinac State Historic Parks 125th Anniversary

2019 Projects Funded

  • Development of the Fort Mackinac Post Headquarters Exhibit

  • Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park Water Power Exhibit

  • Colonial Michilimackinac Blacksmith Shop Anvil

  • Bunting for Fort Mackinac

  • New entry signs for Colonial Michilimackinac

  • Camera Equipment

  • Marquette Park corner landscaping sign

  • Exhibit shop equipment

  • Colonial Michilimackinac Barracks Exhibit

  • Event Chairs

  • Reprint of “Werewolves and Will-O-the-Wisps”

  • Increased marketing for Mackinac State Historic Parks

  • Archival cabinets for the Keith R. Widder Library at the Petersen Center in Mackinaw City

  • Supporting funding for the production of the PBS Documentary: “Mackinac Our Famous Island”

Preserve History. Protect Natural Resources.

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