McGULPIN HOUSE
PROS
There are usually a lot of carriages going by.
If it rains, you can just move inside.
CONS
This house isn't visited as much as others.
Because there's no interpreter, you need to be able to answer any questions about the house.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE
One of the island’s oldest structures, McGulpin House dates to 1790. Originally located on the east end of town, the building was moved to this location during restoration in 1982. Once the home of William McGulpin, a baker for the American Fur Company, this structure is an excellent and rare example of early French Canadian domestic architecture.
Preserved as an architectural artifact, the interior is partially restored to reveal its layers of use. Exhibits tell the story of the house. There is also an interactive audiovisual program on the historic architecture of Mackinac Island.
HISTORY
The McGulpin House is one of the oldest private residences in Michigan. Built in the late 1700s, the house is an excellent example of early French-Canadian architecture, characterized by the steep roof and dove-tailed log connections. The French were the earliest European settlers in Michigan. When they moved here to take advantage of the fur trade, they brought with them their cultural traditions. They spoke French, sang and played French songs, ate food prepared according to French recipes and constructed their homes in traditional French-Canadian styles.
Most people have an image of “Lincoln Log” style homes when they think of log houses. But the McGulpin House is a very different type of structure. The logs are squared or flattened on the sides and joined at the corners with intricate “dove-tail” joints. Also typical of the French-Canadian style is the steep-pitched roof, the large half-story attic and the way that the roof flares out at the eave. The roof itself is covered with cedar bark as were most of the island’s early homes. Cedar bark was locally available, simple to install and fairly effective at keeping out the rain.
Originally, the log house was only used as a summer residence for visiting fur traders. As such it had no exterior siding or plaster inside. The logs were simply whitewashed, both inside and out. This is clearly visible on the exposed, non-restored sections of the building. William McGulpin, a baker for the American Fur Company, bought the house in the 1820’s and remodeled it into a year-round residence. At this time he added plaster to the interior walls and clapboards outside to make the house more weather tight.
The McGulpin House was purchased by Mackinac State Historic Parks in 1982 and moved from the original location behind Ste. Anne’s Catholic Church to the corner of Fort and Market streets. The building has been restored to its appearance of the 1820s when William McGulpin first bought the house.
Late 1700’s: House is built.
1817: William McGulpin, a baker for the American Fur Company, purchases house.
1982: House moved to present location from behind St. Anne’s Church, restoration started.
Position: Stand outside near the fence gate along Market Street.
If Raining: Move inside near the doorway.
DUTIES
First duty Scout should pick up the clipboard and counter from the interpreter at Beaumont Memorial.
Bathrooms: Visitor’s Center~down Fort Street; it is the white building on the corner.
Tickets: Visitor’s Center, Kiosks~at South Sally Ramp or Biddle House.
Water Fountain: Visitor’s Center
There are usually a lot of carriages going by.
If it rains, you can just move inside.
CONS
This house isn't visited as much as others.
Because there's no interpreter, you need to be able to answer any questions about the house.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE
One of the island’s oldest structures, McGulpin House dates to 1790. Originally located on the east end of town, the building was moved to this location during restoration in 1982. Once the home of William McGulpin, a baker for the American Fur Company, this structure is an excellent and rare example of early French Canadian domestic architecture.
Preserved as an architectural artifact, the interior is partially restored to reveal its layers of use. Exhibits tell the story of the house. There is also an interactive audiovisual program on the historic architecture of Mackinac Island.
HISTORY
The McGulpin House is one of the oldest private residences in Michigan. Built in the late 1700s, the house is an excellent example of early French-Canadian architecture, characterized by the steep roof and dove-tailed log connections. The French were the earliest European settlers in Michigan. When they moved here to take advantage of the fur trade, they brought with them their cultural traditions. They spoke French, sang and played French songs, ate food prepared according to French recipes and constructed their homes in traditional French-Canadian styles.
Most people have an image of “Lincoln Log” style homes when they think of log houses. But the McGulpin House is a very different type of structure. The logs are squared or flattened on the sides and joined at the corners with intricate “dove-tail” joints. Also typical of the French-Canadian style is the steep-pitched roof, the large half-story attic and the way that the roof flares out at the eave. The roof itself is covered with cedar bark as were most of the island’s early homes. Cedar bark was locally available, simple to install and fairly effective at keeping out the rain.
Originally, the log house was only used as a summer residence for visiting fur traders. As such it had no exterior siding or plaster inside. The logs were simply whitewashed, both inside and out. This is clearly visible on the exposed, non-restored sections of the building. William McGulpin, a baker for the American Fur Company, bought the house in the 1820’s and remodeled it into a year-round residence. At this time he added plaster to the interior walls and clapboards outside to make the house more weather tight.
The McGulpin House was purchased by Mackinac State Historic Parks in 1982 and moved from the original location behind Ste. Anne’s Catholic Church to the corner of Fort and Market streets. The building has been restored to its appearance of the 1820s when William McGulpin first bought the house.
Late 1700’s: House is built.
1817: William McGulpin, a baker for the American Fur Company, purchases house.
1982: House moved to present location from behind St. Anne’s Church, restoration started.
Position: Stand outside near the fence gate along Market Street.
If Raining: Move inside near the doorway.
DUTIES
First duty Scout should pick up the clipboard and counter from the interpreter at Beaumont Memorial.
- As guests near the doorway, ask if they have their Fort Mackinac or Historic Downtown Mackinac ticket. If they do not have a ticket, direct them to the Visitor's Center or the Biddle House where they can purchase a ticket. The Historic Downtown Mackinac tickets include the Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum, American Fur Company Sotre/Dr. Beaumont Museum, Biddle House, Blacksmith Shop, and the McGulpin House. Guests can upgrade to the Fort Mackinac ticket for an additional charge.
- Greet guests and welcome them to the museum.
- Be able to describe the building. There will not be an historic house interpreter working at this site.
- Know how to direct guests to the American Fur Company Store/Dr. Beaumont Museum, Bark Chapel, Mackinac Island State Park Visitor's Center, Biddle House, the Richard & Jane Mangoodian Mackinac Art Museum, and the nearest public restroom.
- Count guests using the clicker.
- Keep area tidy.
Bathrooms: Visitor’s Center~down Fort Street; it is the white building on the corner.
Tickets: Visitor’s Center, Kiosks~at South Sally Ramp or Biddle House.
Water Fountain: Visitor’s Center