Mackinac State Historic Parks

Volume XXXV Mackinac Associates 2015 Issue 2 Students Save for Decade, Make Donation to Mackinac Associates ne million of something. elementary school trips to the Straits big of a number a million is, even But more than just an opportunity That’s what Tom Byrum of Mackinac and to Mackinac State of something small,” Byrum said. for bonus points and bragging rights, Owanted his students to see. Historic Parks’ sites, twenty-three of A decade ago he began encouraging the pop can tabs have some value as Well, that and the Straits of Macki- those as a teacher. his students to bring in pop can tabs aluminum scrap. Once the goal was nac. And 10 years ago, the idea for a in exchange for participation bonus met, and the 616 pounds of tabs were For two-and-a-half decades, Tom very special project took hold. points. While some more entrepre- delivered to the scrap yard, Byrum Byrum has planned and chaperoned “I wanted my students to see how neurial students saw an opportunity received a check for $308. to bring in thousands, it was still That $308 was then donated to a long time before the one million Mackinac Associates, specifically to goal was met. the education scholarship fund. That Gallon size bags held 4,500 same fund helped Byrum bring an individual tabs and were stored estimated 7,000 students and count- under tables in Byrum’s classrooms, ing to the area. first at Delton-Kellogg Elementary “Having been a teacher for so outside of Battle Creek, and then many years, I still get invited to a lot at Hopkins Elementary south of of graduation parties,” Byrum said. Grand Rapids. And as the classroom “And every single one of those stu- filled, other spots around the school dents has pictures from their trip to became the temporary home for the Mackinac pinned up on their board. more than 200 bags. It always makes me happy to see how special their trip was for them. “We couldn’t have kept coming up if we didn’t have the help from Mackinac Asso- ciates. We just wanted to give back.” A donation 10 years in the making, helping to continue inspiring a lifelong love of Mack- inac.

Michilimackinac Wraps Up Tricentennial Summer of Special Programs More than a dozen weekends cooking, the Catholic church of special interpretive program- Ste. Anne de Michilimacki- ming comprised the celebration nac, archaeology programs, to of Fort Michilimackinac’s the Native American impact, 300th birthday this summer. French Voyageurs, Soldiers for There aren’t many things in the King, and more. that can boast hitting Though the special program- the three-century mark. ming for the weekends has con- “Because Michilimackinac’s cluded, Fort Michilimackinac history is so rich and diverse, is still honoring its tricentennial we wanted to take this oppor- with a special scavenger hunt tunity to highlight the people available to guests, signature and events that helped shape apparel, and a “Michilimacki- the stories we know today,” nac: 300 Years” tour, along with said Craig Wilson, museum its regular, in-depth and hands- historian and site supervisor for on demonstrations of various Colonial Michilimackinac. components of life at the fort. “It was definitely fun for the “I can’t think of a better staff to try new things we don’t way to honor all 300 years of normally do, change up some of Michilimackinac’s history than the tours and programs. We had to include our visitors, immerse great responses to the varying them in that history, as we have demonstrations,” he said. every day this summer,” said Weekends ranged in subject Wilson. matter from gardening and

Friends Preserving and Sharing Mackinac’s Heritage Peace Garden Dedicated, Bicentennial Commemoration Closes For the past three years, Mackinac the return of to the Mackinac once more. Finally, the completed recon- State Historic Parks has commemo- United States by the British, 200 The addition of the Mackinac struction of Fort Holmes, a British rated the bicentennial of the War of years to the hour of when it hap- Island Peace Garden to Marquette fort built during the 1812 in a variety of ways. pened in 1815. The program includ- Park symbolizes the 200 years of and spending the last 200 years in Special interpretive programs, ed a narrated history of the event peace between the United States and varying stages of construction and tours, and battle reenactments where a number of soldiers yelled Canada along the longest undefend- disrepair now once against sits more culminated in three major events to “huzzah!” as the British colors de- ed border in the world. A custom than 300 feet above the Great Lakes close the bicentennial this summer. scended the Fort Mackinac flag pole piece of sculpture entitled “Be Still” and the town below. July 18 featured a reenactment of and the Stars and Stripes flew over stands at the center of the garden. And now, the small island that Michigan Governor was the site of the first land skirmish Rick Snyder and Consul of the war, a surprise attack that General Douglas George put under British of Canada were among control with a single shot 203 years the honored guests for ago, is once again, and forevermore, the ribbon cutting and at peace. dedication.

Left: Mackinac Island State Park Commission Chairman Chuck Yob, Consul General of Canada Douglas George, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, Repatriation Specialist for the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians Eric Hemenway, and Mayor of Mackinac Island Margaret Doud cut the ribbon dedicating the Mackinac Island Peace Garden. Right: Interpreters dressed as American and British soldiers watch as the British flag is lowered and the American flag raised over Fort Mackinac, as it was on that day 200 years prior. 250-Year-Old Rosary Highlight of Summer, Decades Unseen, untouched, undiscovered delicate ivory and brass rosary pulled artifacts such as medallions and even and the rosary was on display by the for more than two centuries, the from the earth this June. pieces of rosaries are often found at end of July. archaeological excavation site at Co- “It’s an exciting find for a number the site. The display is temporary at this lonial Michilimackinac has not been of reasons,” said Phil Porter, director With the excitement that followed point. The rosary still needs to be short on treasures this summer. for Mackinac State Historic Parks. the rosary’s discovery, not just for properly conserved and cleaned and Since 1959, a little bit more of the “It’s fully intact without any breaks the members of the archaeology crew a more permanent location for its historic fort in Mackinaw City has in the chain and may only be missing and staff, but visitors to the site, a display will be determined at a later been uncovered as archaeologists one or two beads.” concerted effort was made to get the date. scrape away the soil a fraction of an But its not the beads that are miss- artifact prepped and on display as Additionally, research into the inch at a time. ing, rather the beads that are pres- quickly as possible. meaning of the additional beads and Items as small as decorative beads ent that tell us even more about the “After all of the media exposure what it could potentially tell us about and fish scales, bits of wood or lead artifact. A typical Dominican rosary and with the number of people com- the former owner of this artifact will shot are not uncommon finds and the has five sets of 10 beads, but this ing to the site and asking to see it, we continue as well. careful, trained eyes of the archae- rosary seems to have an additional set knew we couldn’t keep it in a box in “In some ways, there are two dis- ology crew can spot these without of nine beads, meaning it is likely a storage.” said Porter. coveries here. One is the finding of delay and add them to the more than Brigantine rosary. Exhibit Designer Keeney Swear- the artifact, the other is its yet to be 1 million other artifacts currently in “A rosary is a very personal item,” er developed a display mount determined story.” said Porter. the collection. Though Michilimack- said Dr. Lynn Evans, curator of ar- inac is the site of the longest ongoing chaeology for Mackinac State His- archaeological excavation in North toric Parks. “I can only imagine the America, it isn’t without its surprises. stories this artifact might tell.” Every little piece of history found What started as a small clump at the site tells us a bit more about the of dark and dirty beads was pains- fort and its people. A high concen- takingly and slowing excavated by tration of fish scales or animal bones James Dunnigan, a graduate student can indicate the diet of the person at Western Michigan University and living there, the remnants of the second year member of the archaeol- foundation and materials can tell us ogy crew at Colonial Michilimacki- the architectural style of the building, nac. and religious or military artifacts combined with records of tenants Because Fort Michilimackinac was within the building can help narrow initially founded by the French, it down the potential one-time owner of had a Catholic community from the the item. very beginning. Even after the fort came in to British control, the French Though many of the artifacts have residents were allowed to keep their enriched our understanding of the fort religion, and attend Ste. Anne de and its people, few of the artifacts un- Michilimackinac located within covered at the fort can compare to the the fort walls, and as such religious

Left: James Dunnigan stands next to the screen he uses to find small artifacts at the Colonial Michilimackinac dig site. Right: The newly discovered rosary on display in the “Treasures from the Sand” exhibit at Colonial Michilimackinac.

Curiosities / 2 O U T L O O K 2015 – Three Centuries of Mackinac History t’s not often that a historical reconstruction of the site. Today, when they reoccupied the fort on donated by Edwin O. Wood, trustee agency can commemorate three approximately 60 percent of the site July 18, 1815. Two hundred years of the Mackinac Island State Park Isignificant historical events has been reconstructed and more later, on July 18, 2015 the Mackinac Commission. This summer we cele- that represent a centennial, bicen- than 7.8 million visitors have toured State Historic Parks commemorated brated the centennial anniversary of tennial and tricentennial anniversa- the site since it opened in 1960. the bicentennial anniversary of this this first Mackinac Island State Park ry in the same year. However, for Special programs, tours and events event with special programs in Fort Commission museum. Mackinac State Historic Parks, 2015 took place throughout the summer Mackinac and by dedicating a gar- is just such a year. to commemorate this important den in Marquette Park which will Let’s begin with 300 years of his- tricentennial event. celebrates 300 years of peace with tory. In the summer of 1715 French British troops retained control our Canadian neighbors. soldiers constructed Fort Michili- of Fort Mackinac until 1796 when In 1915 the Mackinac Island mackinac, a fortified fur trade and American soldiers peacefully occu- State Park established a museum to military village at the northern tip of pied the island as a result of Jay’s interpret Mackinac Island’s “his- Michigan’s lower peninsula. For 65 Treaty. Sixteen years later, at the toric growth and development” in years this community, under French outbreak of the War of 1812, British Fort Mackinac’s Officers’ Stone and later British control, served soldiers attacked and captured the Quarters, Michigan’s oldest public as the primary fur trade center of fort. They retained control of the building. Museum rooms were set the upper Great Lakes. In 1780-81 fort during the war, successfully up for the “reception and preser- the fort and village buildings were repelling an American attack on vation of such relics and souvenirs moved to nearby Mackinac Island August 4, 1814. A few months later, appertaining to and forming part of and the site of Michilimackinac was on Christmas Eve, 1814, U.S. and the history of Mackinac.” Objects soon buried in sand and lost for gen- British negotiators signed the Treaty included items from the Michigan erations. In 1959 the Mackinac Is- of Ghent ending the War. American State Museum donated by the Mich- land State Park Commission began soldiers brought United States con- igan Historical Commission and the archaeological excavation and trol back to the upper Great Lakes a collection of “relics and curios” Phil Porter Director Fort Holmes Dedication Brings Hundreds to Top of Mackinac Island for First Look Inside New Historic Reconstruction igh atop Mackinac Island, see today, this is the fourth time a Administration that, in the 1935 Visitors to the top of the island there once stood a fort. Not fort has been placed at the island’s approved a request to reconstruct the were greeted with clear views of the Hthe white stone walls of highest point. fort. progress of the reconstruction and Fort Mackinac so recognizable from Tall observation towers were By the 1960s, the fort had once a crew that happily took the time to the ferry, but a different, smaller erected on the site until the turn of again fallen into disrepair and answer questions. fort. Today, there is a fort there once the century to provide access to great despite some maintenance, it was More than 150 people gathered on more, and this too can be seen from panoramic views of the Straits of decided the unsafe portions of the Sunday, August 16 for the dedication the boat! Mackinac as the tourism industry fort be dismantled. For decades it of the fort, including State Represen- In 2013, the seed of an idea was thrived on Mackinac Island. stood as it had looked in the 19th tative Lee Chatfield, State Senator planted to reconstruct Fort Holmes. After 1817, portions of Fort century–a ruin. Wayne Schmidt, President of Macki- Though not a small task, it was met Holmes are said to have been used Today, the accurately reconstruct- nac Associates Dr. Mark Mercer and with incredible optimism and a fund- to construct small buildings in the ed Fort Holmes stands once more. Chairman of the Mackinac Island raising campaign quickly began. soldiers garden, what is today called The plans were based off the 1817 State Park Commission Chuck Yob. The half-a-million dollar project Marquette Park. United States Army drawings of the The interior of the fort is dominat- was paid for with $250,000 in pri- In 1907 or 1908, the old barn that original fort and helped architect ed by a large, two-story block house vate donations which helped moti- likely once served as the top of the Rick Neuman with the design. surround by green grass. Inside the vate the Michigan State Legislature Fort Holmes blockhouse was re- Like a set of Lincoln Logs, the blockhouse, six exhibit panels detail to appropriate the other $250,000 turned to the original location from entire fort was pre-fabricated near the history of the site. through the capital outlay endow- Marquette Park, at the suggestion of Harbor Springs, Mich., then disman- The fort will remain open to the ment to make Fort Holmes a reality. Dr. John R. Bailey where it remained tled, and shipped to the island in the public free-of-charge throughout the However, this is not the first until 1933 when a mysterious fire set spring where Darrow Brothers had summer, once again offering more construction. From its first iteration the blockhouse ablaze. begun the groundwork at the site and than just the chance to enjoy a scenic as Fort George when constructed It was the Federal Works Progress Ground Level Masonry was ready to vista from 325 feet above the Great by the British in 1813, to what you start placing the first timbers. Lakes.

Left: Visitors explore the interior of the Fort Holmes reconstruction at the dedication ceremony. Top: Mackinac Island State Park Commission Chairman Chuck Yob, State Representative Lee Chatfield, State Senator Wayne Schmidt, and Mackinac Associates President Dr. Mark Mercer cut the ribbon dedicating Fort Holmes while Director Phil Porter and Deputy Director Steve Brisson look on.

Curiosities / 3 NON-Profit Mackinac Associates U.S. POSTAGE Board of Trustees PAID Mark Mercer, President Lansing, MI Peter Pellerito, Vice President Permit No. 1176 Ann Parrish, Secretary/Treasurer Jack Barnwell Tom Lockwood Mary Jane Barnwell Wesley Maurer Jerome Burns Harriet McGraw Mackinac Associates Kelly Cooper Todd Petersen P.O. Box 567 Phil Porter, Administrative Agent Diane Dombroski, Membership Coordinator Mackinaw City, MI 49701 Kelsey Schnell, Editor

For membership information, call 231-436-4100

Published by Mackinac Associates. Subscription is a member- ship benefit. Membership levels include Mackinac Heritage, $75; Friend, $65; Voyageur, $85; Sentinel, $175; Explorer, $400; Commandant’s Circle, $600; Steward, $1,000; Guardian, $2,500; Patron, $5,000; Benefactor $10,000. Other membership benefits include unlimited free admission to Colonial Michilimackinac, Fort Mackinac, Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park, Old Mack- inac Point Lighthouse and The Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum; 15 percent merchandise and publica- tion discount at the five Mackinac State Historic Parks’ museum stores; invitation to Mackinac Associates special events; and dis- counted admission for members’ guests (Friend level and above).

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Mackinac Associates’ Annual Meeting Re-elects Board, Honors Dombroski

Left: Chairman of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission Chuck Yob stands with President of Mackinac Associates Dr. Mark Mercer, Fund Development and Grants Coordinator Diane Dombroski and Director for Mackinac State Historic Parks Phil Porter at the recent annual meeting of Mackinac Associates. Mackinac Associates and Dombroski were both recognized for their outstanding contributions to the organizations. Right: Mackinac Associates Board of Trustees (L-R) Jeb Burns, Pete Pellerito, Mark Mercer, Todd Petersen, Kelly Cooper, Mary Jane Barnwell, Ann Parrish, Harriet McGraw, Wes Maurer at the 2015 annual meeting, which included the dedication of Fort Holmes. Photo Album: Enjoy an evening of folk tales and family-friendly fun at Fort Holmes FORT FRIGHT Observation Tower, ca. 1905 Colonial Michilimackinac Mackinaw City This recently acquired photo of the observa- Friday, October 9 tion tower at Fort Holmes has been added 6:30 – 9:30pm to the collection. It was the last of several towers dating from the 1850s to 1908 and Saturday, October 10 rose about 70 feet above the ground. 6:30 – 9:30pm Adult - $7 The depression in the foreground is the Youth (5-12) – $4 location where the blockhouse once stood Free for children 4 and under and the supporting legs are on the berm just to the right of where the entrance gate Free for Mackinac Associates was located. While we have seen a number at the Heritage Level and Above of images of this structure from this time, this is the first of this version.

Friends Preserving and Sharing Mackinac’s Heritage