Experience living history at Fort Wilkins State Park, June through August
Disconnect with modern day life and step back in time with living history at Fort Wilkins this summer. Photo courtesy of Fort Wilkins State Park.
COPPER HARBOR — Watch the history at Fort Wilkins State Park come to life June 12 through Aug. 18 during its living history summer program. Audiences can engage in active learning experiences that appeal to visitors of all ages. The living history program transforms the historic site into what one visitor called “a meaningful interaction with the past.”
Fort Wilkins began its living history or role-playing program in 1976. Every word said on the base by the actors, including the least bit of gossip, is based on historical research. Interpreters continuously work to build on interpretations. They begin each day with research and review of historically accurate data.
Experience the reality of life at Fort Wilkins back when it was an active military base. Photo courtesy of Fort Wilkins State Park.
“We view role playing at Fort Wilkins as a chance for visitors to experience for themselves aspects of 19th-century garrison life while learning more about the daily activities, attitudes and opinions of men and women who were present there during the summer of 1870,” said Barry James, Fort Wilkins site historian. “Role playing is a good way to bring the museum experience to life and reach out to the visitor both intellectually, and emotionally.”
The interpreters are college students working in their field of study and gaining professional field experience working for DNR, Michigan History Center Museums and Historic Sites. The living history program begins on June 12 and ends Aug. 12.