Mackinac State Historic Parks recently began the development of an art museum and learning center in the 1830s-era Indian Dormitory on Mackinac Island, due to open in the summer of 2010. The project has been funded by the Richard and Jane Manoogian Foundation. The museum will center on fine and decorative arts inspired by Mackinac Island through the ages from Native American baskets to present day paintings of the island. "This is a great project because it allows us to restore a significant building and exhibit a major part of our collection that currently has no public display venue," said MSHP Director Phil Porter. "This will provide an entirely new experience for our guests on Mackinac Island."
The 1838 Indian Dormitory was built on Mackinac Island as part of improvements called for in the 1836 Treaty of Washington, in which Indian nations of the Great Lakes deeded significant portions of Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas to the United States. The dormitory was constructed to house Native Americans who came to the island to receive payment as part of the provision. However, as the Native Americans visiting the agency continued to camp along the harbor, it was primarily used by Indian agents as an administrative building. After eight years, it no longer served this purpose and was eventually converted into a schoolhouse for island children. During the early 1940s, the school building served as the Mackinac Island Summer School of Art. Although successful, the program was suspended during World War II and not revived. In 1964, the seven-member Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the governing body of Mackinac State Historic Parks, purchased the property.
In 1965-66, the commission completely restored the building to its 1838 appearance, including the removal of a later addition. Exhibits were installed and it was opened each summer to the public from 1966 until 2002. A year ago, MSHP staff began outlining a proposal to convert the unused historic structure into an art museum. The next stage of the project, which begins this fall, requires a major restoration of the building. This includes building an addition to house an elevator and fire exit, asbestos abatement, replacing the roof and rotted windows, and foundation repairs. Deteriorated exhibits will be removed from the inside and the space prepared for the new art exhibition. A fire suppression system, security system, and HVAC will be installed.
Rooms will be refurbished, electrical systems upgraded, and a new restroom added. At that point, a micro-climate exhibit case system will be installed to allow long-term exhibit items to remain in place throughout the year. Once completed, the first floor will contain the permanent collection exhibit, with the second floor housing changing exhibits and work from contemporary Mackinac Island artists. "The theme of the art museum will be how Mackinac Island inspired artistic creation throughout history beginning with Native American objects and including 18th, 19th, and 20th century maps, paintings, drawings, ceramics, glassware, hand-tinted black-and-white photographs, and other Mackinac Island art objects," Porter said. "The exhibition will also include works from modern-day artists whose narratives will explain how Mackinac Island inspired their artistic creation."
Plans for the ground level include an art learning studio. An art educator and a 500-square-foot learning studio will provide a hands-on art learning experience for visitors. Guests will have the option of taking a MSHP-provided easel into Marquette Park to paint lilacs, weave Native American-style baskets, or create hand-tinted photographs as William Gardiner did in the early 20th century. The lower level will also include a catering kitchen for small receptions. For more information, call 231-436-4100 or visit www.MackinacParks.com.
Topics From This Article to Explore
