July 6, 2005

Mackinaw City, Mich.- On Saturday and Sunday, July 16-17, Mackinac State Historic Parks hosts the Crown Forces Encampment at Colonial Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City.

Fifty to 100 historical re-enactors from throughout Michigan and the Midwest join the 18th-century British troops already stationed at the reconstructed fort, a National Historic Landmark. During their stay, both soldiers and civilians accurately portray life at a British garrison in the 18th century.

Colonial Michilimackinac is a reconstructed French fur-trading village and military outpost. Attractions at the living history museum include on-site archaeology and interactive military and civilian life demonstrations from the British 1770s occupation and American Revolution era.

Crown Forces re-enactors will supplement daily events with demonstrations of military techniques, period clothing presentations, craft demonstrations and musket firings. All events are included with admission to Colonial Michilimackinac. Admission is $9.50 for adults, $6 for youths 6-17, and free for children 5 and under.

Mackinac State Historic Parks, a family of living history museums and parks in Northern Michigan's Straits of Mackinac region, 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.  More 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.