To all,

In regards to thinking about event locations and possibilities I would like to propose Ft. Wilkins at Copper Harbor, MI as location to be considered.

The Fort is operated by the State of Michigan as a State Park, but it is managed by the Division of History Arts and Libraries as a historic interpretive site. I do several presentations on Civil War Topics yearly and the Regional Director for HAL would love to host a weekend of quality reenactors that would re-create garrison life of the post-war fort.

The Fort was constructed in 1844 to police the newly started copper mining in the area. It was abandoned just two years later as the mining near the fort proved less lucrative as the larger copper strikes further south on the peninsula. The fort was re-garrisoned from late 1866 to the end of 1869. The majority of this second occupation was by the 43rd U.S. Infantry (Veteran Reserves). Today Fort Wilkins is a well-preserved example of a mid-19th-century fort in the northern frontier. There are 19 buildings - 12 of them original structures dating from the 1840s.

There are some very interesting possibilities as the staff at the park are very receptive to having a quality group garrison the Fort and use some of the buildings for these purposes.

Well, the floor is open for discussion.....