Spearheaded by the Mackinac Associates, the friends group of Mackinac State Historic Parks, with support from the Michigan legislature, a restored Fort Holmes will be dedicated on Mackinac Island at 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 16th. The ceremony will take place at the newly-reconstructed fort, a short distance north of Fort Mackinac on historic Mackinac Island.
“This historic fort was constructed by British Soldiers in the summer of 1814 as United States and British forces fought for control of the Michigan peninsulas.” said Phil Porter, director for Mackinac State Historic Parks. “Not only is Fort Holmes one of our state’s few War of 1812 historic sites, it also sits at the very top of Mackinac Island commanding one of the most scenic and beautiful vistas in the Midwest.”
The fort was originally named Fort George by the British, but the name was changed to Fort Holmes after the United States returned to Fort Mackinac on July 18 1815. Major Andrew Holmes was an American casualty during the unsuccessful attempt to regain control of Fort Mackinac on August 4, 1814.
The dedication ceremony will include comments by Porter, Deputy Director for Mackinac State Historic Parks Steve Brisson, Dr. Mark Mercer of Mackinac Associates, and other dignitaries including State Senator Wayne Schmidt (37th District) and State Representative Lee Chatfield (107th District) will also be in attendance.
Another key Michigan event following the War of 1812 took place in the Springwells area west of Detroit on September 8, 1815. The Treaty of Spring Wells was signed by General (later President) William Henry Harrison representing the U.S. government and eight Native American tribes which had fought against the U.S in the War of 1812. Tecumseh’s brother, the Shawnee Prophet Tensquatawa, Michigan Territory Governor Lewis Cass and Judge Augustus Woodward were on site. Making peace with the former, British allied, enemy tribes was the key that opened Michigan land to settlers. A new Michigan Historical Marker on the Peace Treaty of Spring Wells will be dedicated on the grounds of Fort Wayne, Detroit, on Saturday, September 19th.
The governor-appointed Michigan Commission on the Commemoration of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 is charged with encouraging, planning and developing activities, events, programs, observances and services appropriate to commemorate Michigan’s role in the War of 1812. The Commission officially completed its service on July 31, 2015. More information can be found at www.michigan.gov/war1812
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