History Is the Draw for Fort Mackinac Visitors
By Bernie Nguyen

'Welcome to Fort Mackinac' Lilac Queen Blisse Beardsley and Phil Porter, director of Mackinac State Historic Parks, opened the Fort for the season Friday, May 5.

With gas prices on the rise, competition, and other economic concerns this summer, Mackinac State Historic Parks is preparing to keep the tourism industry flourishing. Fort Mackinac, one of the Island's most prominent visitor attractions, maintains the virtue of being entertaining and educational, and, most of all, authentic, but the park staff works hard to keep its appeal current.

"The great historical significance of Mackinac is not just that historical events took place here, but that the physical reminder of that history is still here, and the fact that the history has been preserved," said Phil Porter, director of Mackinac State Historic Parks.

In addition, he continued, "the great natural beauty of Mackinac's unique features such as Arch Rock and Sugarloaf," and the charm and relaxation the Island offers, are important characteristics of its tourist appeal.

Greg Hokans, who oversees development and marketing at Mackinac State Historic Parks, emphasized the importance of Mackinac Island to the success of the tourism industry.

Fort Mackinac overlooks the Straits of Mackinac with a spectacular view. It provides an interactive, hands-on experience with history that draws school groups and families.

Unlike the automotive industry, he said, "our industry is a conglomeration of large and small businesses and public and private entities working together." The goal is "to create an image of an unforgettable, enjoyable experience for the people who come here. These are family traditions that people will invest in because they had a good time here."

Fort Mackinac's historical value has been translated into an educational treasure-trove of what Mr. Hokans calls "a living history laboratory." Each year, approximately 60,000 primary and secondary school students visit the museums at Mackinac State Historic Parks, which include Colonial Michilimackinac, Historic Mill Creek, Old Mackinaw Point Lighthouse, and Fort Mackinac.

"First and foremost, we're an educational institution," Mr. Hokans said. He added that the interactive and hands-on aspects of the museums has a positive effect on both teachers and students.

Despite economic difficulties in many schools, Mr. Hokans explained, "teachers who have brought kids to the Fort in the past think so highly of the educational experience that they come back."

"This time of year, the important thing is school groups," Mr. Porter said. "Schools find that the programs in our historical sties really blend nicely with their social studies curriculum."

The agency also maintains a program called Historic Mackinac on Tour, where park interpreters visit schools throughout the state with programs on history and ecology.

By reaching out to students, Mr. Hokans said, Mackinac State Historic Parks instills the idea that a visit to Mackinac Island can make history part of a fun experience.

History, learning, and other activities that make up the Island's most popular tourist draws all work together in combination with the environment. Mr. Hokans stressed the importance of leaving a lasting impression on visitors, especially since around this time other tourist attractions, such as theme parks, are beginning to draw crowds as well.

For those who spend their vacation here, he said, "what they have purchased is memory, experience. They will go back to friends and family and be our best marketing tool."

Mr. Porter also stated that the experience visitors receive is crucial to their perception of the Island.

"What we're ultimately looking for is that the services that we provide meet our customers' needs," he said.

"What holds it together is our quality guest services," Mr. Hokans added. "We can't control the gas prices or the economy, but the one thing we have total control over is how we treat our guests."