September 16, 2004

Mackinaw City, Mich.- As part of Michigan Archaeology Month in October, Mackinac State Historic Parks (MSHP) presents Archaeology Day at Colonial Michilimackinac on Saturday, Oct. 2.  The event runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is included in the regular admission price of $9 for adults, $5.75 for youths (6-17) and free for children 5 and under.

Colonial Michilimackinac is the site of the nation's longest ongoing archaeological dig, dating to 1959.  The fort and trading outpost is a National Historic Landmark and has been painstakingly reconstructed based on the archaeological findings at the site. Interpreters dressed as British Redcoats, colonials and American Indians populate the living history museum.

Archaeology Day will feature a special archaeology tour at 10:30 a.m.  Guests will examine many excavated sites within the fort and learn how artifacts were interpreted to recreate 18^th-century life.

At 2:30 p.m. guests will view a slide presentation titled "Archaeology at Michilimackinac."  MSHP Curator of Archaeology Dr. Lynn Evans will be available to field questions.

During Michigan Archaeology Month, the Office of the State Archaeologist (www.michigan.gov/archaeology) will coordinate activities, exhibits and events across the state to promote the study, preservation and interpretation of Michigan's archaeological resources.

Mackinac State Historic Parks is a family of living history museums and parks in Northern Michigan's Straits of Mackinac region, and is an agency of the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries. The sites include Fort Mackinac, Historic Downtown and Mackinac Island State Park on Mackinac Island, and Colonial Michilimackinac, Historic Mill Creek and Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse in Mackinaw City. The sites are accredited by the American Association of Museums. Visitor information is available on the Web at www.mackinacparks.com and by phone at (906) 847-3328 or (231) 436-4100.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries.