Photo by Mackinaw City Area Chamber of Commerce
Heritage Village Celebrates Mackinaw's History
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.
Highlights of Heritage Village:
- 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.
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.
On the first weekend of August each year, the Mackinaw Area Historic Festival takes place at Heritage Village with vintage 1880’s base ball, live raptors, children’s games, Native-American displays, great food, and more.
For more information on Heritage Village:
Mackinaw Area Historical Society
1425 W Central Ave., Mackinaw City, MI, 49701
(812) 797-6000
Destinations Up North
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Activities & Attractions in Northern Michigan

Oden State Fish Hatchery in Alanson
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Little Traverse History Museum in Petoskey
Within the historic Chicago/West Michigan railroad depot in Petoskey, the Little Traverse History Museum is a history filled gem.

The Headlands: An International Dark Sky Park
The Headlands, just west of Mackinaw City, is one of six International Dark Sky Parks in the U.S. and one of nine in the world.

Crooked Tree Arts Center in Petoskey
Crooked Tree Arts Center is a place where artists from northern Michigan can display their talents and artwork to the public.

Charlevoix’s History Museums
The Harsha House and the Charlevoix Depot Museum, run by the Charlevoix Historical Society, preserve much of Charlevoix’s rich history.

Antiques
Shop Northern Michigan antiques shops, art galleries, and furniture stores for home furnishings that are unique and affordable.

Cross Country Skiing in Charlevoix & Boyne City
With woods, dunes, and frozen lakes, the trails near Charlevoix and Boyne City are the places to cross country ski from December-March.

Charlevoix Circle of Arts
The Charlevoix Circle of Arts is a vibrant, cultural center in downtown Charlevoix that presents six major visual exhibits annually.

The Trillium Up North are a Beautiful Site
Acres and acres of Northern Michigan are abloom with trillium during May, only adding to the beauty of spring Up North!

Fisherman’s Island State Park
Fisherman’s Island State Park has more than 2,600 acres and miles of gorgeous Lake Michigan beach and is located just south of Charlevoix.