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Michigan

Mackinac Island: The Jewel of Michigan

Program No. 1575RJ

Mackinac Island has been a fur trading post, Revolutionary War site, Victorian resort destination and much more. Join us as we explore the history of this small island with a big story.

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Regional Studies

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6 days

5 nights

15 meals

5B 5L 5D

Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation

Mackinac Island

Mackinac Field Trip by Carriage, Fort Mackinac

Mackinac Island

History of Island, Grand Hotel Afternoon, Island Horses

Mackinac Island

Island Birding, Island Flora & Natural Beauty

Mackinac Island

Victorian Architecture, Free Time

Mackinac Island

Program Concludes

Mackinac Island

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At a Glance

Explore the treasures of Mackinac Island as you delve into the island's glorious history, geology, natural beauty, architecture and modern life. Discover old-world traditions as you learn about the island's early economic and military importance as well as its development as a Victorian resort. Customs and cultures will come alive through lectures and field trips with local residents and area experts. A field trip to Fort Mackinac and a carriage ride around the island will enhance your visit.

Activity Level

Keep the Pace

Walking 1–2 miles per day. Paved and unpaved roads, some hilly terrain, stairs.

Best of all, you’ll…

Learn during a carriage ride about the value of the horses.
Explore the island's beautiful natural spaces up close on a walk with a naturalist.
Find out why Mackinac’s Victorian homes are an important part of island history on a field trip with the deputy director of Mackinac State Historic Parks.

General Notes

Select dates are designated for small groups and are limited to 24 participants or less. Transportation by foot, horse-drawn carriage, bike.

Featured Expert

All trip experts

Katie Mallory

Katie Mallory worked for Mackinac State Historic Parks for 26 seasons. She started as a historic house interpreter in college and worked her way through to a full-time position as museum educator and curator of education. Katie oversaw programming at Fort Mackinac, Historic Downtown Buildings, Mackinac Art Museum, and the Mackinac Island Scout Service Camp. She now works with arts and education programs out of Cheboygan (and Road Scholar on Mackinac Island), as well as being involved with family time, theater groups, and community programming..

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Jeff Dykehouse View biography

Jeff Dykehouse has worked for the Mackinac State Historic Parks (MSHP) since 1983 and is the Curator of Natural History for the MSHP. Trained as a biologist, he has worked as an interpretive naturalist, environmental educator, research biologist, and audiovisual specialist for a number of Michigan’s State and National Parks. Jeff has been a “birder” all his life and has had a master Federal Bird Banding permit for over 30 years. Jeff lives on the shore of Lake Huron near Cheboygan with his wife Laurie (a middle school science teacher) and their three children.

Moira Croghan View biography

Moira Croghan started coming to Mackinac Island in the summers with her family when she was eight weeks old and has returned every year since. In 2011, she moved to Mackinac Island. Moira has a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and biology and earned a master’s from the University Of Michigan School Of Natural Resources. For three decades, Moira oversaw the Commonwealth of Virginia’s water pollution control and land use management programs, conducting strategies to improve water quality through education, regularity programs, permits, and enforcement.

Shaker Hites View biography

Dr. Carl “Shaker” Hites was born in northeast Ohio. His family has been in the logging-hardwood lumber industry for three generations. His father logged with horses first in Ohio, then Indiana. Upon receiving his DVM from Purdue University, Dr. Shaker started a practice in rural northwest Indiana, later focusing on equine work and small animals. Dr. Shaker, his wife Lisa, and their daughters have been lifelong horse owners and enthusiasts. After “retirement,” an offer to provide veterinary care on Mackinac Island was a perfect match.

Katie Mallory View biography

Alyssa Connolly View biography

Dr. Alyssa Connolly graduated from Michigan State University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. She started a mobile veterinary practice in 2004 and is now a veterinarian in Pinckney, Michigan, primarily treating equine patients as well as mixed farm animals and companion animals. Dr. Connolly grew up in Howell, Michigan, gaining experience with horses from childhood. She got her first pony at age six and started to show in 4-H not long after.

Colleen Turner View biography

Dr. Colleen Turner graduated from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2001. Her practice since then has focused on equine dentistry and oral surgery. Dr. Turner sees referral dental and oral surgical cases at MSU, at equine hospitals in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana, and at several area zoos where she has worked on a variety of critters (large and small) over the years. She enjoys trail riding while her kids compete in events. She lives with her family in Flint and Metamora, Michigan.

Suggested Reading List (5 books)

Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop

You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.

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Mackinac Island: The Jewel of Michigan

Program Number: 1575

Mackinac Island: Three Hundred and Fifty Years of History

by Robert E. Benjamin

This guide to the history of Mackinac Island will increase any visitor's enjoyment of this beautiful and historic island. This chronological account of the significant events in the island's history is illustrated by fascinating photos both current and historical.

Mackinac Island (Images of America Series)

by Tom North

From historical richness to unparalleled natural beauty, Michigan's Mackinac Island is the crown jewel of the Great Lakes, unique in America. Native American visitors preceded French explorers and missionaries of the 17th century. Forts were established and battles fought between American and British soldiers. Commerce, including fur trading and fishing, later surpassed military importance, in turn yielding to the tourism industry that has dominated the past 150 years. Accessible by water, "ice bridge," or air, Mackinac Island encompasses a state park, harbor, city, and Victorian hotels and homes. A permanent automobile ban helps preserve the island's historic character, leaving land movement to foot, bicycle, and horse-drawn carriage. This book uses historical photographs to depict Mackinac Island heritage and culture. Rare images capture bygone days and lifestyles on this island where 19th century charm surprises and intrigues even today.

Fudge: Mackinac's Sweet Souvenir

by Phil Porter

Mackinac Island and fudge. Both symbolize indulgence, fantasy and escape. But there's more to fudge than sugar, butter, chocolate and cream. In this book, historian Phil Porter stirs up the past to find the hard work and sometimes bitter controversy behind this sweet souvenir. In his hunger for truth and historical accuracy, Porter dug deep into the kitchens and cupboards of the fudge culture. No appetite for history, no taste for sweet truth will be satisfied without reading Fudge: Mackinac's Sweet Souvenir.

Mackinac Island Adventures

by Lynda Hepker and Steven Hepker

An introduction to island culture and adventures on beautiful Mackinac Island. Written by year round residents of the island, this booklet offers information that you should know before traveling to Mackinac Island. Plus, a little history, some fun facts, things to see and do off the beaten path, and a little humor about how residents live on the island through the fours seasons of Michigan.

The Legend of Mackinac Island

by Kathy-jo Wargin

Beautifully illustrated story incorporating Indian legends of Mackinac Island. Retells the story of the great turtle Makinauk that enlists the aid of other animals to help create the special place known as Mackinac Island, and their discovery of new lands and long-lasting friendship. llustrated by Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen.

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Mackinac Island: The Jewel of Michigan

Enroll with Confidence

Protecting the Environment

At a Glance

Best of all, you’ll…

General Notes

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