• Thursday-What'sUP August 29 - 09:16 am

Fort Wilkins comes alive with reenactments of a number of historical events from the past, including the Battery D, 1st Michigan Light Artillery group staging an encampment.

Art Brabbs was around to capture all the excitement with his camera. The first three photos are probably one of the most popular events, with the preparations and firing of the cannon. With those puffs of smoke and the positioning of the soldier's stance, you can almost hear the BOOM that accompanied the discharge.

Art was also around to photographically record the visit from Abe Lincoln and his wife. I can't even count the number of times we've walked through the Fort and read the information on the displays. Always finding it fascinating to look back into the lives of the soldiers and their families that lived there. But I've never had the opportunity to visit the Fort when events such as these were taking place. Just imagine how interesting it must be to go back in time and see the life these people led, right before your eyes like that.

Good morning.

It's amazing to hear the echo of the cannon come back from the other side of Lake Fanny Hooe.

Heading UP tomorrow to ride my favorite road...26 to Copper Harbor (on the Wing of course). See ya on Brockway.

Its fun when they are doing the re-enactments, you should go next year Mary. This year Sammy and I hiked on the other side of Lake Fanny Hooe and heard the cannons echo.

Mr. Lincoln is looking quite dapper these days!

Good morning! We just saw that stuff at Mackinac Island. Very interesting!

Somebody pushed the memory button again! Fort Wilkins is one of the first places I remember as a young boy and I get back as often as I can, which is seldom now, unfortunately.

Its really fun to try to talk to those kids when they're in costume; ask them a question that is outside of the "time period", and see the looks and answers you get! Did Mr. Lincoln ever really visit the fort, that was built to protect the miners from the savage indian. As I understand it, if anyone needed protection it was the miners from each other, and everyone from the elements! Reading some of the diaries on site, and a couple related books, gave me a very good look at the differences between what they endured, and what I endured - 100 years later, growing up in Hancock. I love riding the loop from Hancock through Lake Linden, Gay and Bette Griese to the Harbor, and back through Eagle Harbor. It is MUCH better on two wheels than over four, however! Have a great day!!!

Alex, may you have dry roads and safe motoring!

Have a great time!

have postcard from there from the 20s or thirtys anyone from there interested ? i remain walter p.

I was lucky this summer, I got to live at Fort Wilkins for 6 weeks. Campground Host in east campground. Can't wait for next summer to do it again. Battery D has been coming to the fort for 24 years. They want to have a bigger and better show next year to celebrate 25 years. As a retired Air Force guy, I feel a special connection to fort.

Art (Transplant1977) YOu were real lucky to have that opportunity. That would be an awesome adventure for anyone! Glad you had a good time.
A host at a campground that is a great way to spend a summer or part of it anyways.