COPPER HARBOR, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – While the fields at Fort Wilkins have not seen battle in 100 years, the historic fort will be celebrating its centennial anniversary as a state park with a Civil War encampment and ceremonies.
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“In 1923, Fort Wilkins became a state park, and today the site includes camping, picnicking, fishing and other recreation opportunities as well as this wonderfully preserved historic site,” said Barry James, Upper Peninsula historian for the Michigan History Center.
The fields surrounding the fort will roar with the sound of simulated cannons, and battle shouts as a group of more than 25 costumed interpreters from a living history group of Battery D, 1st Michigan Light Artillery reenact daily life of Civil War soldiers Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 28-30.
“You’ll hear the echo of cannon fire rolling down the length of Lake Fanny Hooe, just as soldiers heard it more than 175 years ago,” James added, “It is an experience not to be missed!”
Other demonstrations, including Civil War medical and undertaking procedures, drills and skits are featured throughout the weekend.
The fort, located in Copper Harbor, MI, has a long history of attempting to keep peace according to Michigan officials.
“Begun in 1844, Fort Wilkins was designed to keep the peace. Although re-garrisoned briefly in the 1860s, the Army abandoned Fort Wilkins only a few years after it was started,” according to Michigan officials.
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According to the state of Michigan, there are five forts throughout the state that were built ahead of the American Civil War including: Fort Wayne in Detroit, Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island, and Fort Brady in Sault Ste. Marie.
Though Lansing did not have a fort, soon after the war began, Michigan answered President Lincoln’s call for troops with more than 16,000 troops before the beginning of 1862.
The encampment is open to park visitors 8 a.m. to dusk Friday and Saturday, July 28 and 29, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 30, for more information, call 906-289-4215.
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