Anyone
who knows me knows that I am something of a history buff, and that when I go to
new places I am always interested to know what sort of cool stuff has happened
there in the past. Admittedly, I am more inclined to think some historical
facts are cooler than others. For example, I could really care less about where
the first locomotive was built, or if I am standing at the Wright Brother’s
home, while I am enthusiastic about Colonial forts, castles, and
battlefields.
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| Me with a Chippewa War Club |
This
past week I took a trip to northern Michigan with my girlfriend and her family.
Mackinaw City, and Mackinac Island (Pronounced the same way as the city, with
an “AW” at the end.) are about as far north as you can get in that state
without getting to the UP (Upper Peninsula) The highlight of the trip, for me
at least, was Colonial Michilimackinac. This is an excellent recreation of the
1775 era fort that sat at the convergence of Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.
Founded in 1715 by the French to support the thriving fur trade on the northern
great lakes, Michilimackinac (from where the city Mackinac got its name) fell
into British hands in 1761 at the conclusion of the French and Indian War. The
fort has been recreated in its entirety, something worthy of Colonial
Williamsburg and some of the other world famous historical sites. The homes and
shops inside the fort are as authentic as they can be, even showing the
difference between French built and English made buildings. (The French made
their homes with vertical posts sunk directly into the ground, while the
British built theirs using dovetail corners and horizontal planks on top of a
foundation.) It is worth mentioning that the site is a complete fort – not
simply a rebuilt tower or battlement with a few buildings around it. Once you
enter Colonial Michilimackinac, you are surrounded by timer walls, rustic
cabins, and detailed portrayals of life. There are no highways or neon signs or
snack bars to break the scene, and it is quite easy to become engulfed in it.
The site
is also still an active archeological dig. There has been a constant
archeological presence in the area since it was first excavated in the 60’s,
and part of the tour was a briefing by the archeologists, and allowed guests to
ask questions about either the process, or colonial life in Northern Michigan.
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| Archeologists explaining their dig site |
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| Fur Trading Post at MichiliMackinac |
Despite
the impressive reconstruction and the ongoing archeological excavations, what
really stood out with this site were the reenacters, or interpreters. Where
many historical sites are manned by either bored college students looking for a
grade/summer work, or retired historians/professors looking to fill the hours,
the interpreters at Colonial Michilimackinac were energetic, knowledgeable, and
passionate about the history they were portraying.
Standouts
included the British 8th Regiment of Foot, and the French Voyagers (apparently pronounced with an
accent, as in all the literature it appears in italics.)
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| British Grenadier |
The girl
portraying the voyager was the first
interpreter that we spoke to. She clearly knew her subject matter, and
explained how the (mainly French) trappers, shippers, and river folk would make
the seasonal trips around the great lakes, to and from Montreal and New York,
stopping off at Fort Michilimackinac. She was outside the fort, complete with
30 foot canoe rigged up as a tent, and trade goods spread out ready for
purchase or barter. She was incredibly knowledgeable, very in character, and
set the tone for the entire experience.
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| French Canadian Voyager at her camp outside the fort |
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| The British 8th Regiment of Foot - Firing 3 rounds a minute |
The
redcoats were represented by two companies of the 8th: A Battalion,
or line company, and the Grenadier company. The uniforms were spot on, down to
the last detail, without the comical red felt that typically accompanies a more
costume style British soldier. This was the first time I had seen a British
Grenadier represented so faithfully, and I was very impressed. More than just
their physical appearance, the interpreters took pride in their work. They knew
what they were doing, knew the manual of arms for their musketry demonstrations
(even demonstrating the “tap load” that was faster, but not always reliable)
and some (when asked) confirmed that they could, indeed, fire the three rounds
a minute that was the mark of a good soldier in the ranks of an 18th
Century army. After the demonstrations, the troopers escorted groups around the
fort on tours, or were seen maintaining their gear at the guard house – a
discipline and authenticity seldom seen at other historical sites.
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| Interpreters representing Battalion Companies of the 8th |
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| Cleaning the Brown Bess |
Overall,
I could have spent all day here. This would normally be a very boring prospect
unless you are a history geek like me, but the passion and knowledge of the
interpreters, and the attention to detail throughout the entire location and site made this an experience that could genuinely be enjoyed by all.
