Sept. 9, 2008

Mackinac Island, Mich. - A group of 16th Michigan Company B re-enactors will bring Mackinac Island's Civil War history to life when they encamp at Fort Mackinac from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 13-14. The 1822 3rd U.S. Infantry will also be present.

The re-enactors will recreate a little-known chapter in Fort Mackinac's history, when the Union Army used the island fortress as a prison for three prominent Confederate sympathizers. Dozens of men and women will dress in the fashions of the 1860s, including the "Stanton Guard" unit, named after Secretary of War Edwin Stanton and specifically recruited to guard the Confederate prisoners; the three Confederates (named Washington Barrow, Josephus Conn Guild and William G. Harding); and various civilians of the era.

The re-enactors will combine with Fort Mackinac interpreters already at the fort to give presentations, including rifle firing and drill demonstrations. At 1 p.m. on both days, there will also be a ladies' fashion show showcasing fashion of the Civil War era.

Visitors are encouraged to ask questions and interact with the re-enactors throughout the encampment.

The 16th Michigan Company B re-enactor encampment is included with regular Fort Mackinac admission: $10 for adults, $6.25 for youth ages 5-17, and free for children 4 and under and Mackinac Associates. The historic fort is a professionally restored military outpost with 14 original buildings dating back as early as 1780, artifact exhibits and live demonstrations.

Mackinac State Historic Parks, a pure Michigan family of living history museums and parks in northern Michigan's Straits of Mackinac, is an agency within the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries. Its sites - which are accredited by the American Association of Museums - include Fort Mackinac, Mackinac Island State Park and Historic Downtown on Mackinac Island, and Colonial Michilimackinac, Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse and Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park in Mackinaw City. Mackinac State Historic Parks is governed by the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, established in 1895 to protect, preserve and present the parks' rich historic and natural resources for the education and recreation of future generations. Visitor information is available at (231) 436-4100 or on the Web at www.MackinacParks.com.

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