As activities begin to mark the bicentennial of the War of 1812, we are pleased to welcome guest speaker Phil Porter on Thursday, March 15, at 7:00 pm. Porter is the director of the Mackinac State Historic Parks and also serves on the State of Michigan’s Commission on the Commemoration of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812.

Mackinac Island was the site of two significant military engagements during the War of 1812, including one of the first land actions. These struggles speak to the economic and geo-political importance of the upper Great Lakes and the key role of Mackinac Island in controlling this vast region. In this illustrated lecture, Porter will detail the dramatic events surrounding these battles and their significant impact on this international conflict.

Phil Porter was born and raised in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan and spent the summers of his youth on Mackinac Island growing up in a cottage next door to the Grand Hotel. At an early age Porter fell in love with the island’s great natural beauty and rich history. He worked as a tour guide at Fort Mackinac while pursuing his academic studies.

Porter joined the permanent staff of Mackinac State Historic Parks in 1976 and has served as curator of collections, curator of interpretation, chief curator and, since 2003, as Director. In his current position Porter is the chief executive officer for the Mackinac Island State Park Commission. He oversees the museum, park operations, administration and marketing as well as Mackinac Island State Park, Fort Mackinac, Colonial Michilimackinac and historic Mill Creek Discovery Park. Phil has authored numerous books and articles including his most recent book A Desirable Station: Soldier Life at Fort Mackinac, 1867-1895.

Admission to the Harbor History Talks is $3 per person and free for HSAHS members. Light refreshments will be served. The Harbor History Talks are presented ten months out of the year by the Historical Society and are sponsored in part by Graham Real Estate.

The History Talks take place in the second-floor Anton Library at the Harbor Springs History Museum, 349 E. Main Street, Harbor Springs. For more information, call the Historical Society at (231) 526-9771.

For more information on the commemoration of the War of 1812 Bicentennial in Michigan, please visit www.michigan.gov/war1812.