July 24, 2006

Visitors of all ages can step back in time at Fort Wilkins this summer, where museum exhibits, daily interpretive programs and special events are helping to bring history to life for area residents and travelers, alike.

Located at Fort Wilkins State Park, Copper Harbor, at the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula, the restored 19th century military post features daily costumed portrayals of soldiers and their families, a three-day living history encampment and museum exhibits enlivened by the sights and sounds of army life of more than 135 years ago.

From August 4-6 the roar of cannon will again echo across Lake Fanny Hooe when Battery D, 1st Michigan Light Artillery, a Civil War-era living history group, returns to Fort Wilkins for an extended weekend encampment.

Recreating the volunteer artillery unit organized at White Pigeon, Michigan in 1861, the group will interpret army life of the period, demonstrating artillery drills, period cooking and soldiers’ pastimes.  Their encampment will feature more than 25 costumed interpreters, tents, a depiction of army barracks life and two full-scale artillery pieces, as well as authentically reproduced mess gear, small arms and other period artifacts.

The recreation of an army field hospital including artifacts typical of military medicine and skits drawn from army life of the period will also be featured throughout the weekend.

“This colorful living history event, filled with family-oriented demonstrations that are both poignant and sometimes lighthearted, will appeal to visitors of all ages,” according to Tom Friggens, a regional manager with the Michigan Historical Center.  “The echo of cannon fire rolling down the length of Lake Fanny Hooe is identical to what soldiers serving at Fort Wilkins heard more than 135 years ago and is not to be missed!”  

The original Battery D served in the western theater of the Civil War - Kentucky, Tennessee and northern Georgia - where, despite losing five of its six artillery pieces in the 1863 Battle of Chickamauga, it helped Union General George H. Thomas earn the nickname “the Rock of Chickamauga” for his stiff defense against Confederate forces in the ensuing Union defeat.

The event will be open to park visitors from 8 a.m. to dusk Friday and Saturday, August 4 and 5, and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, August 6.  For the daily schedule of activities, telephone (906) 289-4215.

Meanwhile, the everyday events of army life at Fort Wilkins are depicted daily in the costumed portrayals of men and women stationed there during the summer of 1870.  Modeled after actual members of the army garrison and based on extensive historical research, the “role playing” interpretive program is presented by the Michigan Historical Center, in cooperation with Northern Michigan University, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through August 18.  Funding for the 2006 program is provided by the Michigan Historical Center Foundation, the Friends of Michigan History, Northern Michigan University and the Fort Wilkins Natural History Association.

The innovative role-playing program is supplemented by four 3-day living history camps presented during the summer by The Future Historians, a youth association from the Michigan Iron Industry Museum at Negaunee.  Kids from the museum’s auxiliary group receive intensive training during the spring before assuming the costumed roles of children at Fort Wilkins during the living history camps.  More than 50 Future Historians youth are participating in the camps this summer, demonstrating children’s games and chores and telling visitors about growing up in 1870.  Upcoming camps are scheduled for July 26-28, August 2-4 and August 16-18.

Built in 1844 to keep peace in Michigan’s Copper Country, Fort Wilkins was abandoned two years later and re-garrisoned by federal infantry from 1867 to 1870.  Today it remains a well-preserved example of a 19th century military post, including officers’ quarters, soldiers’ barracks, married enlisted men’s quarters, hospital, workshops, powder magazine and guardhouse.

The historic site also includes the Copper Harbor Lighthouse, where new exhibits installed in 1998 interpret the Copper Harbor light station and its keepers.  Public access to the lighthouse museum is by a DNR tour boat concession that operates daily, lake conditions permitting, from the Copper Harbor Marina.

Fort Wilkins Historic Complex, including the restored fort, the Copper Harbor Lighthouse and the 1844 Pittsburgh and Boston Mining Company mine sites, is administered by Michigan’s Department of History, Arts and Libraries in cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources.  The nationally accredited outdoor museum is open daily from 8 a.m. until dusk through mid-October.  Admission is by state park permit.  A fee is charged for the lighthouse boat tour.  For current lighthouse boat schedules and ticket information telephone (906) 289-4215.

The Department of History, Arts and Libraries is dedicated to strengthening the economy and enriching the quality of life for Michigan residents by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan’s heritage and fostering cultural creativity.  In addition to the Michigan Historical Center, it includes the Library of Michigan, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the Michigan Film Office.

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