Heritage Village Celebrates Mackinaw's History

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Mackinaw City's Heritage Village lets visitors explore life in the Straits of Mackinac as it was years ago. Focusing on the era of 1880-1917, Heritage Village looks just as it would during these Northern Michigan decades--buildings, lawns, outhouses, costumes, history, and stories.

The Mackinaw City Historical Society manages the 43-acre Heritage Village and continues to add new buildings and exhibits. The Heritage Village is just west of downtown Mackinaw City.
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Heritage Village includes:



  • An 1880's one-room school house from the nearby community of Freedom
  • The Mackinaw City pest (pestilence) house from the same era as the school house
  • The turn-of-the-century sawmill that cut the logs for the locks at Sault Ste. Marie
  • A tar paper work shack
  • A vintage base ball field where games are still played
  • An artifacts building filled with pieces of history
  • A community garden
  • A community pavilion
  • Modern outhouses

An 1897 church from nearby Brutus was moved to Heritage Village and is being restored as are a machine shed, and a replication of a prominent family's farm, the Stimpson Homestead.

School children from around Michigan come to Heritage Village in the spring and fall to learn about the history of the area. Volunteers and docents offer half and full day educational programs.
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On the first weekend of August each year--August 2-3, 2013, the Mackinaw Area Historic Festival takes place at Heritage Village with vintage 1880's base ball, live raptors, children's games, Native-American displays, and more--including great food!

For more information:
Mackinaw Area Historical Society Heritage Village
West of Mackinaw City
Mackinaw City, MI 49701

To learn more about the history of the Mackinaw City area and the Straits of Mackinac, visit:

Colonial Michilimackinac

Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park

Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse

McGulpin Point Lighthouse

Mackinaw City Historical Pathway

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More Northern Michigan History...



Uniquely Mackinaw City...




For more activities & attractions, check out these additional links for Things to Do in Northern Michigan:



Harbor Springs, Michigan -- Harbor Springs is the place to try new things! Rent a bike or a kayak, go snow tubing, attend a concert or an art fair, or play a round of golf with friends.
Petoskey -- There's so much to do in Petoskey from the Bear River Valley Recreation Area, to Petoskey State Park, to biking, golfing, hiking, and more.
Charlevoix, Michigan -- Visiting Charlevoix in Northern Michigan is a fun-filled vacation with great beaches, boating, skiing, fishing and year 'round family fun.
Things to Do in Boyne City, Michigan -- Nothing is quite like Boyne City in Northern Michigan with camping, boating, skiing, year 'round outdoor activities, and of course, the morel mushroom!
Lots of Activities in Mackinaw City, Michigan -- Explore Mackinaw City in Northern Michigan for history, the International Dark Sky Park, and outdoor activities.
Mackinac Island -- Take a step back in time and find lots of things to do when you visit Mackinac Island by horseback or bike--no cars allowed!
Northern Michigan Activities & Things to Do -- Northern Michigan offers many fun things to do for the entire family whatever the season, whatever the reason!
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Last Updated: 12-11-2021 08:51 AM ID: 806