Arch Rock Mackinac Island Painting

Arch rock is a favorite spot to visit when on your Mackinac Island vacation. It’s a beautiful geologic formation made of natural limestone that’s located on the Lake Huron shoreline high above the water. When you visit it don’t forget your camera for it’s a photo opportunity extravaganza.

It's a fun bike ride up to Arch Rock and also a nice hike. All the carriage tours definitely take you to this popular tourist attraction for you to view the beautiful Straits of Mackinac from it's fantastic vantage point.

An unknown artist, identified by the initials “W.K.” painted the Arch Rock formation over 125 years ago. The artist saw the beauty of the formation and painted it eye-level at sunrise. The untitled painting was recently purchased by Mackinac State Historic Parks as an acquisition to be displayed in the Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum from time to time.

The painting is getting a good “cleaning” from the Mackinac State Historic Parks’ art conservator, Jennifer Lis. The process is slow since there is 125 years of soot and grime on this delicate piece of artwork. Jennifer cleans the painting an inch or two at a time.

She’s excited to have the public see the painting as it truly was when painted. As an art conservator she understands how heavy grime on a painting disfigures the image and when removed the artist’s original vision is revealed. Mackinac State Historic Parks is recording her progress with a camera mounted to the ceiling over the painting. They plan to make it a short film showing how a dark and gloomy painting becomes an outstanding piece of artwork depicting the beauty of Mackinac Island 125 years ago.

When visiting the Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum make sure to ask about this short film to see if it is available to see at the time of your visit. Hopefully, it will be for it's a super film to see.

Insider Tip: Arch Rock was a curiosity to Euro-Americans and its presence was a major decision in creating Mackinac National Park in 1875. In 1895, it became a State Park known as Mackinac State Historic Park. It's famous for the wonderful fun-filled activities and historic exhibits at Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island.

Here are some other great Mackinac Island attractions to not miss during your Mackinac Island vacation.

And don't miss Mackinaw Mill Creek Discovery Park in Mackinaw City.

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What Other Photographers Have Shared

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old painting of arch rock  Not rated yet
i purchased this painting recently and on the back is written 'natural bridge 1858 virginia' in handwriting which appears to be identical to frederic edwin ...

Arch Rock Around 1907   Not rated yet
These pictures were found in a photo album of my Uncle, Harry Bourisaw who was a Mackinac Island resident all of his life.

In the album were several ...

Arch Rock  Not rated yet
Mackinac Island's Arch Rock, Winter 2008-09

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