July 1, 2008

Two state agencies - the Department of History, Arts and Libraries' Michigan Historical Center and the Department of Natural Resources' Parks and Recreation Division - have teamed up again this summer to offer a program series at Fayette Historic State Park, sure to appeal to children and adults alike. Fayette is located on Delta County's Garden Peninsula, in the south central Upper Peninsula.

Campers, boaters and day visitors can discover more about Fayette's 19th century heyday as an iron smelting company town through "Childhood at Fayette," a slide presentation and demonstration of toys that focus on kids' chores, pastimes, health and schoolhouse experiences during the late 1800s.

Brenda Laakso, site historian for the Michigan Historical Center at Fayette, said nature and wildlife will also play prominent roles, with programming that includes guided hikes led by park ranger Chris Koren. In "Bats in the Townsite," participants can learn all about Michigan's flying mammals and, in "Animal Camo and Ammo Walk," they will follow the overlook trail above the limestone bluff, discovering the plants and animals that call Fayette home.

Laakso will head up other programs, including specialized guided tours. "Cedar Shingles, Square Nails and Horsehair Plaster" focuses on Fayette's architectural landscape, historic preservation and continuing restoration to save the site for future generations. In "Discovering 'Trash' from the Past," a guided tour of Fayette's archaeological sites provide important clues about Fayette's social and industrial past. Fees are $6 per person; children 12 and under are free. Funds support continued interpretation, education and preservation of the site through the Friends of Fayette.

"Our roster of evening programs offers both historical and nature-oriented talks for visitors looking to experience all that Fayette has to offer," Laakso said.

Check the following listing for the location of each program:

• Tuesdays in July and Aug. 5 and 12: "Cedar Shingles, Square Nails and Horsehair Plaster," 7 p.m., visitor center



• Thursdays in July and Aug. 7 and 14: "Discovering 'Trash' from the Past: Archaeology at Fayette," 7 p.m., visitor center



• Fridays, July 11 and Aug. 1 and 15: "Animal Camo and Ammo Walk," 7 p.m., park office parking lot



• Fridays, July 25 and Aug. 8 and 22: "Bats in the Townsite," 9 p.m. (July), 8 p.m. (August), campground site #1



• Saturdays July 12, 19 and 26 and Aug. 2: "Childhood at Fayette," 7 p.m., hotel

Today, Fayette is one of the nation's premier examples of a 19th century industrial community and company town. In operation from 1867 to 1891, its furnaces produced over 229,000 tons of pig iron to become the second largest producer of charcoal iron in Michigan.

The State of Michigan has preserved 20 buildings including the furnace complex, hotel, town hall, company office and several residences. Eleven buildings contain exhibits and are open to the public, including a modern visitor center with a scale model of the townsite as it looked in the 1880s.

Fayette Historic Townsite is administered by the Department of History, Arts and Libraries in cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources. The museum village is open daily, 9 a.m. to dusk, through Labor Day and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Labor Day through mid October. Admission is by Michigan state park permit. For more information call (906) 644 2603, visit the museum online at www.michigan.gov/fayettetownsite or the DNR/PRD Web site at www.michigan.gov/fayette.

The Department of History, Arts and Libraries is dedicated to enriching quality of life and strengthening the economy 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 and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. To learn more, visit www.michigan.gov/hal.

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