On this day — January 26, 1837, Michigan officially became a state.
Happy birthday, beautiful!
Originally, our state *should* have become official in 1835, but a boundary dispute with Ohio prevented it. Perhaps that is what kicked off Michiganders lifelong hate against Ohio?! Anywho, the “war” {more like a shouting match among men} was centered around a strip of land that is now Toledo. During the summer of 1836, congress proposed a compromise whereby Michigan gave up its claim to the strip in exchange for its statehood and about three-quarters of the Upper Peninsula. I’d say we got the better end of the deal 😉 Finally, in January 1837 we were officially a state.
Typically we like to celebrate this day with a visit to one of our favorite gems, the Michigan History Center, but since it’s closed this year, we thought we’d celebrate by discussing our state’s history at home with birthday cake!
12 Places To Learn About Michigan History
Our family has a mission to visit as many museums as possible in our state, starting with those celebrating our state’s own history! Plan a getaway and add these {mostly FREE} places to learn about Michigan’s history to your family’s bucket list:
Michigan History Museum
702 W. Kalamazoo, St., Lansing, MI
Admission
Adults – $8, seniors {65+} – $6, youth {ages 6-17} – $, children 5 and under are free. Admission is FREE to all on Sundays!
About
The Michigan history museum offers a walk through Michigan’s past, from the time of the state’s earliest people to the late 20th century. Plan a few hours to visit — there’s lots to see!
Cambridge Junction Historic State Park
13220 M-50, Brooklyn, MI
Admission
Admission is FREE with a Michigan State Recreation Passport. If you do not have one, consider renting one for free through your library’s Michigan Activity Pass program.
About
In the 1840s, Sylvester Walker’s farmhouse tavern at Cambridge Junction was a favorite rest stop for travelers heading west on the Old Chicago Road. Today, the tavern is part of an 80-acre state park. Visitors can tour the site’s three historic buildings, view exhibits about tourism and enjoy the natural landscape of the Irish Hills.
Website | Open May through October
Father Marquette National Memorial
720 Church St., St. Ignace, MI
Admission
FREE
About
The Father Marquette National Memorial pays tribute to the life and work of Jacques Marquette, French priest and explorer who founded a Jesuit mission in 1671 and was buried in 1678. The memorial is within Straits State Park in St. Ignance, so get ready for some beautiful views of the bridge!
Website | The memorial is open daily Memorial Day through Labor Day from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended seasonal hours from June to August.
Fayette Historic Townsite
4785 II Rd., Garden, MI
Admission
Admission is FREE with a Michigan State Recreation Passport. If you do not have one, consider renting one for free through your library’s Michigan Activity Pass program.
About
The 711 acre Fayette Historic State Park blends nature and history. The park features a historic townsite with more than 20 buildings that was once a bustling iron smelting community. It’s like a real-life ghost town! {It’s absolutely gorgeous and was one of our favorite stops in the Eastern Upper Peninsula!}
Website | The fort is open from 8:30 a.m. to dusk daily.
Fort Wilkins and Copper Harbor Lighthouse
U.S. 41, Copper Harbor, MI
Admission
Admission is FREE with a Michigan State Recreation Passport. If you do not have one, consider renting one for free through your library’s Michigan Activity Pass program.
About
Fort Wilkins was a typical military post of the mid-nineteenth century. Visiting is like stepping back in time to 1844. {My kids absolutely loved this place! Learn other things to do in the area at this post.}
Website |The fort is open from 8:30 a.m. to dusk daily.
Hartwick Pines Logging Museum
4216 Ranger Rd, Grayling, MI
Admission
Admission is FREE with a Michigan State Recreation Passport. If you do not have one, consider renting one for free through your library’s Michigan Activity Pass program.
About
Located in the heart of Hartwick Pines State Park, the Hartwick Pines Logging Museum depicts the daily lives of the lumberjacks living and working in Michigan’s northern forests in the 19th century. The old growth forest surrounding the area is amazing and definitely worth a stop!
Website | Logging Museum hours are as follows. {Trails are open year-round}
- May 1 – 30: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- May 31 – September 5: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- September 6 – October 31: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Higgins Lake Nursery and Civilian Conservation Corps Museum
11747 N. Higgins Lake Dr., Roscommon, MI
Admission
Admission is FREE with a Michigan State Recreation Passport. If you do not have one, consider renting one for free through your library’s Michigan Activity Pass program.
About
The Higgins Lake Nursery and Civilian Conservation Corps Museum, located at North Higgins Lake State Park, tells the story of Michigan’s first state tree nursery and the role of Michigan’s Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. The nursery was established in 1903 to reforest northern Michigan after decades of clear-cutting and forest fires. The museum immerses visitors in the history of the first state nursery as well as the life of the CCC men.
Website | Open Memorial Day through Labor Day
Mann House
205 Hanover St., Concord, MI
Admission
FREE. Some programs may have a fee or ask a donation.
About
The Mann House is a wonderful example of a Victorian-era house. Located in the picturesque village of Concord, the home and its contents illustrate typical family life in the 1880s. {The nearby Hubbard Memorial Museum looks super interesting as well!}
Website | Stay tuned for 2022 open dates.
Maritime Heritage Center
500 West Fletcher St., Alpena, MI
Admission
FREE
About
The Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center is a visitor center for the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The museum features exhibits for all ages. The center’s main hall includes a full-size replica wooden Great Lakes schooner and shipwreck where visitors can walk the decks, feel a Great Lakes storm, and touch the massive timbers of the boat resting on the lake bottom without getting wet.
Website | Open year-round. Visit the website for the hours, which change seasonally.
Michigan Iron Industry Museum
73 Forge Rd., Negaunee, MI
Admission
FREE. Some programs may have a fee or ask a donation.
About
The Michigan Iron Industry Museum overlooks the Carp River and the site of the first iron forge in the Lake Superior region. The museum highlights the state’s iron mining industry, which has flourished for more than 125 years.
Website | Open Wednesdays through Sundays, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sanilac Petroglyphs
8251 Germania Rd., Cass City, MI
Admission
Admission is FREE with a Michigan State Recreation Passport. If you do not have one, consider renting one for free through your library’s Michigan Activity Pass program.
About
Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park protects and interprets Michigan’s largest known collection of early Native American teachings carved in stone. The carvings are called Ezhibiigaadek Asin, “written on stone,” in the Anishinaabemowin language.
Website | Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park is open year-round. The enclosure that protects the petroglyphs is open from May 28 through September 5, and entry to the enclosure is available only by guided tour, free of charge. Guided tours are offered every half hour Wednesdays through Sundays, with the first tour at 9 a.m. and the last tour at 4:30 p.m.
Tawas Point Lighthouse
686 Tawas Beach Rd., East Tawas, MI
Admission
A Michigan State Recreation Passport is required in the park. If you do not have one, consider renting one for free through your library’s Michigan Activity Pass program. Unless otherwise noted, guided tours of the lighthouse are $5 for adults and $2 for children ages 5 to 17; Children ages 4 or younger are free.
About
In operation since 1876, Tawas Point Lighthouse is a fascinating attraction for maritime buffs. Tawas Point is a destination for birdwatchers; it also offers spectacular views of sunrises over Lake Huron and sunsets over Tawas Bay.
Website | Stay tuned for 2022 dates!
Which historic spot is your favorite to visit?
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