Civil War Era Reenactments At Fort Wilkins State Park

The scene is 1868 and Fort Wilkins in the northernmost tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula is home to an army garrison in the post civil war era,

At least that’s the feeling you get when Battery D. First Michigan Light Artillery takes to the courtyard to recreate army life as it was in those days.

Captain Jim Newkirk says the soldiers spent the weekend cooking, sleeping and drilling much like their predecessors did.

The group travels throughout Michigan and other parts of the country during the summer months performing reenactments like this one.

This is the 31st year they have come to Copper Harbor, a location that is rare because the fort is much like it was in the 1800’s, allowing the participants to really feel what is was like back then.