Fort Michilimackinac
Introduction
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Fort Michilimackinac was a key French settlement and trading post located at the very northern tip of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. It was built in 1715 and was one of many similar settlements that the French established from the Atlantic coast to the Great Lakes and then down the Mississippi River. The key trading commodity at the time was fur, which became very popular in Europe. The fort today is entirely reconstructed, featuring 16 buildings and a surrounding wall. The buildings are contained period furnishings and themed exhibits. Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960, the site has been extensively excavated, making it the most archaeologically excavated early French settlement in the country. Visitors will learn a lot about life for French and British soldiers during the 18th century. Staff dress up in period clothing and demonstrating cooking, crafts and other daily tasks from the period; and canon and musket firing demonstrations occur daily. The fort is part of the Colonial Michilimackinac State Park.
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