Exhibits

Mission Church

Evangelical Protestants built the New England style Mission Church during 1829 and 1830 to house the Presbyterian Congregation on Mackinac Island. Reverend William Ferry and his wife Amanda were missionaries with the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. The Ferrys also created a Mission School, where they boarded American, French-Canadian, and Métis students from throughout the Great Lakes region. Many prominent island residents involved in the fur trade, including Robert Stuart and Henry Schoolcraft, attended the Mission Church. The mission closed in 1837. The building was partially restored by island residents in the early 19th century. Mackinac Island State Park Commission acquired the church in 1968 and conducted considerable restoration in the mid-1980s including fumigation for powder post beetles, structural repairs, and paint analysis.

A State Historic Marker notes its creation and the involvement of the Ferrys. Plaques inside the entrance give a brief history of the site and memorialize the establishment of the church, and its restoration. The church has been restored to its original appearance thanks in large part to funds from Mackinac Associates, the friends group that supports Mackinac State Historic Parks’ Education and preservation programs. Admission is included in the Fort Mackinac ticket, but the building is not staffed, so it is open to all visitors. The church can be rented for weddings: click here for information.

Indian Dormitory

The Indian Dormitory is currently closed to public tours.

The Indian Dormitory was built in 1838 as a result of the Treaty of Washington negotiated by American Henry Schoolcraft in 1836. Schoolcraft was married to Jane Johnston, daughter of John Johnston and Oshaw-guscody-way-quait of Sault Ste. Marie. The dormitory housed the headquarters for the American Indian Agency, whose responsibilities stretched as far west as Minnesota. Hundreds of Native Americans from throughout the Great Lakes region gathered at the Indian Dormitory annually to receive annuity payments. The building was used as a dormitory for only a decade. For almost a century, it served as the Mackinac Island public school. When a new school was built in the 1960s, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission acquired the dormitory and restored it. Once extensive restoration was completed, the building was opened to the public as an Indian Museum.

Interpretation at the dormitory focuses on the implications of the Treaty of Washington, Native people in the region, and Henry Schoolcraft. The three levels of the building: ground floor, first and second floors, contain exhibits outlining the chronological history of the building, information about Native people and a copy of the Treaty of Washington. Period settings include a kitchen, Dorm Keeper’s Apartment, and Henry Schoolcraft’s Winter Office. The building is staffed with one interpreter wearing historical clothing who interprets the building’s use as a dormitory and distribution center for annuity payments.

Benjamin Blacksmith Shop

The Benjamin Blacksmith Shop dates from the 19th century, and was operated by an island resident until the mid 20th century. It is located next to the Biddle House on Market Street. The working shop hosts an annual blacksmith convention, held in mid-August. Numerous blacksmiths from across Michigan participate in this convention. The shop is staffed with one full-time blacksmith from June 14 until August 24, and welcomes several volunteers throughout the season. Blacksmiths craft items such as candle holders, horse shoes, and other objects which are available for purchase.

Biddle House

The Edward Biddle family owned the Biddle House, built in the late 18th century, for several generations. Edward Biddle was an American who took up permanent residence on Mackinac Island after the War of 1812. He was from a prominent East coast family that included his first cousins Nicholas, president of the United States Bank in Philadelphia, and John, a major during the War of 1812. Edward married Agatha, a local Odawa-Métis woman who lived all her life in the region. The Biddles purchased the house in 1832 but may have lived there earlier. Edward’s son John later owned the house, and after him a daughter. The house also served as a harness shop in the early 20th century. The Michigan Society of Architects restored the Biddle House in 1959 and the Architectural League of Detroit furnished it. They then turned the building over to the Mackinac Island State Park Commission to maintain and operate.

Interpretation in this house focuses on the Biddle family and on living history demonstrations of early 19th century crafts. A State Historic Marker outside the house identifies it as belonging to the family and gives some background information. Visitors enter the house through the front door and proceed into a hallway, lined with several plaques relating to the original restoration. A large room on the other side of the hallway serves as the main interpretive area in front of the house. A costumed interpreter introduces visitors to the Biddle family and the house.

The furnishings of the room focus on textile production processes including cleaning, carding, spinning and knitting wool, and quilting. Interpreters are often involved in one of these processes. Next, visitors enter the kitchen of the house, where daily food preparation demonstrations take place. Other living history demonstrations such as candle making, dyeing, laundering, and gardening take place outside in the yard. After touring the Biddle House, visitors can tour the Benjamin Blacksmith Shop next door. One or two interpreters are stationed in the Biddle House every day from mid-June to late-August.