Fayette Historic State Park Heritage Day Aug. 8

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 30, 2015                                  

Contact: Troy Henderson, 906-475-7857 or John Pepin, 906-228-6561


Fayette Historic State Park Heritage Day Aug. 8 features
archaeology, 19th-century music, crafts and games

Fayette Historic State Park will host its annual Heritage Day Saturday, Aug. 8, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event features an active archaeological excavation, music, crafts, horse-drawn carriage rides, games and sporting activities, all from the 19th century. Fayette Historic State Park is located on the Garden Peninsula, between Escanaba and Manistique, along the shore of Lake Michigan.

The event celebrates Fayette's rich social and industrial heritage. Michael Deren will immerse visitors in music and history as a schooner captain from the 1880s, and blacksmith George Potvin will demonstrate his craft throughout the day. Also featured are the Dodworth Duo Strolling Serenaders, who will provide a concert at 11:30 a.m. and performances at various locations across the townsite in the afternoon. Educational displays and performances also include blacksmith tools, spoon carvings and flint-knapping. 

Children can enjoy three-legged and sack races, lawn croquet and reproduction toys from the era. Anyone 13 years of age and older is invited to play a game of old-time base ball with the Fayette team. The base ball game will follow 19-th century rules, meaning no baseball gloves will be used, and a ball caught on the first bounce is an out.

Archaeologists Dean Anderson and Stacy Tchorzynski will conduct a limited excavation in the townsite and will exhibit artifacts unearthed during earlier archaeological projects at Fayette.

“This is a great opportunity for the public to see an active archaeological excavation,” said Fayette site historian Troy Henderson. “The archaeologists will discuss the history of prior excavations while they dig. Investigations like this greatly enhance the interpretation of the townsite, in addition to protecting our cultural resources.”   

"The other great feature of Heritage Day is the setting," Henderson said. "The restored historic townsite and natural beauty that surrounds it are a top-notch combination.”

Heritage Day visitors also can enjoy a food tent sponsored by the Big Bay de Noc High School Booster Club and a bake sale.

The day's scheduled activities include:

• 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- Archaeological display and excavation in townsite.
  
• 11:30 a.m. -- Dodworth Duo Strolling Serenaders concert.
  
• Noon to 3:30 p.m. -- Dodworth Duo Strolling Serenaders performances throughout the townsite.
  
• 12:30 and 2:15 p.m. -- Michael Deren, “Schooner Captain.”
  
• 3:30 p.m. -- 19th-century-style base ball, Fayette team vs. All-Comers. Ages 13 and older welcome to participate.

Fayette Historic State Park features one of the nation's premier examples of a 19th-century industrial community and company town. In operation from 1867 to 1891, its furnaces produced more than 229,000 tons of pig iron, becoming the second-largest producer of charcoal iron in Michigan. Today, 20 buildings are preserved, including the furnace complex, hotel, town hall, company office and several residences. Eleven buildings contain exhibits and are open to the public, including a modern visitor center with a scale model of the townsite as it looked in the 1880s.

Fayette Historic Townsite is one of 11 nationally accredited museums administered by the Michigan Historical Center, an agency within the Department of Natural Resources. Located 17 miles south of U.S. Highway 2 on Highway 183 at Fayette Historic State Park, the museum village is open daily through October 19. For more information call 906-644-2603 or visit www.michigan.gov/fayettetownsite.

A Recreation Passport grants vehicle access to any Michigan state park, boat launch, state forest campground or nonmotorized state trailhead parking. Residents can purchase the Passport for just $11 ($5 for motorcycles) at the time of Michigan license plate renewal through the Secretary of State. Forgot to check "YES" during renewal? Residents and nonresidents can purchase a Recreation Passport window sticker during regular business hours at state parks. Learn more about how the Recreation Passport supports state parks and local outdoor recreation opportunities at www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport.

The Michigan Historical Center is part of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Its museum and archival programs help people discover, enjoy and find inspiration in their heritage. It includes the Michigan Historical Museum, 10 regional museums, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve, and the Archives of Michigan. Learn more at www.michigan.gov/michiganhistory.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.

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/Editors, please note: An accompanying photo is available below for download.

Suggested caption: Fayette Historic State Park’s Heritage Day Aug. 8 will offer a variety of musical entertainment, historical demonstrations and children’s games and toys. For more information, call the park at 906-644-2603 or go to www.michigan.gov/fayettetownsite./

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