For nearly three decades, historian Eugene T. Petersen devoted his career to preserving one of America's most cherished places-Mackinac Island. In Inside Mackinac, Petersen opens the doors to the past, sharing a vivid and deeply personal account of how vision, creativity, and persistence transformed a fading fort into a living history destination that continues to inspire visitors today.
From the restoration of Fort Mackinac to the groundbreaking archaeology project at Colonial Michilimackinac, Petersen's story captures the heart of Michigan's historic preservation movement. Along the way, he reveals the challenges of leading a small but determined team within state government, balancing scholarship with public appeal, and proving that history could be both authentic and accessible.
Told with humor, candor, and insight, Inside Mackinac is far more than a historical account-it's a meditation on leadership, integrity, and the power of place. Readers will meet the visionaries, scholars, and community leaders who brought Mackinac's stories back to life, and glimpse the behind-the-scenes struggles that shaped Michigan's first state park and its enduring legacy.
Whether you're a lover of Michigan history, a museum professional, or simply someone who treasures the preservation of our shared heritage, this memoir offers inspiration and perspective on what it truly means to save history for future generations.
About the Author :
Eugene T. Petersen, Director of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission from 1958-1985, directed the reconstruction of historic Fort Michilimackinac at Mackinaw City, Michigan and the restoration and historical interpretation at Fort Mackinac and other historic sites on Mackinac Island, Michigan. A former United States Marine Corp communications officer and a graduate of Marquette University (B.S., 1942 and M.A., 1947) and the University of Michigan (Ph.D., 1952), he taught European, American, and Michigan history at the University of Detroit and the University of Michigan. He was Director of the State Historical Museum in Lansing, Michigan for several years before going to Mackinac. Marta Olson grew up inside the living museum of Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island. From there, she traveled outward, literally and figuratively, through positions in hospitality, higher education, and personal computing. Her computer career included being part of the Apple team that rolled out the Macintosh computer in 1985. After Apple she ran her own web design business in northern Michigan for 25 years. She has returned home to her beloved Mackinac Island where she serves on the boards of Little Traverse Conservancy and the Mackinac Island Community Foundation.
Review :
For over a quarter century, Dr. Eugene T. Petersen guided, directed, and oversaw the restoration and renovation of Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island and Fort Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City. Only Gene Petersen could provide the insights to this undertaking, and he does so clearly and effectively in his book, Inside Mackinac. Together with his devoted wife Marian, he took up his challenging task after Governor G. Mennen Williams decided that this action on these historic properties was long overdue. The continued vitality and popularity of these historic properties is ample testimony to the enduring importance of Gene Petersen's work.
Dennis Cawthorne, Chair of Mackinac State Historic Parks 2000-2020
Eugene Petersen's Inside Mackinac offers a valuable reflection on his long career with the Mackinac Island State Park Commission. Petersen guided the commission into a new era of historical interpretation and presentation. In lively prose, he chronicles the challenges, achievements, and personalities that defined this pivotal period in Mackinac's storied history.
Steve Brisson, Director of Mackinac State Historic Parks
