“Grand Hotel” Birthday Celabrates 125 years on Beautiful Mackinac Island, July 10,1887 to July 10th, 2012

Congratulations Grand Hotel’s 125th Birthday Celebration. It has truly been an honor to have had the opportunity for photograph Weddings and Events the past 16 years at the Grand Hotel on Beautiful Mackinac Island. A tribute to a “Grand Hotel” from my opportunities and perspectives. History & Memories. Hope these pictures put smiles on everyone’s heart.

On July 10, 1887, Grand Hotel opened its doors for the first time.

The Celebration Flags.

One of many Grand Hotel’s horse drawn Carriages.

The 660′ Porch is “Spactabulas”.

From Weddings on the Grand Porch to,

Pure Michigan events.

Mr. Dan Musser Sr. Past President.

So much History… Children’s Birthday Party Grand Hotel 1935 with my mother Dr. Mercedes A. Lapine and Aunt Charmine.

To the award winning movie “Somewhere In Time”. Christopher Reeve & Jane Seymour.

Somewhere in Time is a 1980 romantic science fiction film directed by Jeannot Szwarc. It is a film adaptation of the 1975 novel Bid Time Return by Richard Matheson, who also wrote the screenplay. The film stars Christopher ReeveJane SeymourChristopher PlummerTeresa Wright, and Bill Erwin. Reeve plays Richard Collier, a playwright who becomes smitten by a photograph of a young woman at the Grand Hotel. Through self-hypnosis, he travels back in time to the year 1912 to find love with actress Elise McKenna (portrayed by Seymour). But her manager William Fawcett Robinson (portrayed by Plummer) fears that romance will derail her career and resolves to stop him.

Did you know there was another movie made on Mackinac Island 1947. By george there was:

“This Time for Keeps”.

This Time for Keeps is an American romantic musical film released in 1947 and produced by MGM. It is about a soldier, returning home from war who does not wish to work for his father’s opera company or to continue his relationship with his pre-war lover. It stars Esther WilliamsJimmy DuranteJohnnie Johnston and Lauritz Melchior and it was directed byRichard Thorpe. The film was shot in color on location at the Grand Hotel, on Mackinac Island in Michigan.

There’s just nothing like the “Grand Hotel” view when sailing to the Island.

From spring time to:

Summer:

To Fall:

and Winter.

The “Grand Hotel” is truly “Somewhere in Time”

Come and help us celebrate “Grand Hotel’s” 125th Birthday. A week long celebration.

 I do be-leave a big birthday cake is in the making for 8pm July 10th on the “GRAND” porch. See you soon.

Steven Blair: Photography By Blair / www.photosbyblair.com / www.artisticmackinac.com / info@photosbyblair.com

The celebration continues this weekend with receptions, presentations and activities to commemorate the hotel’s birthday. Friday afternoon will begin with a lecture by hotel historian Bob Tagatz. Guests can then enjoy a welcome reception, and evening fireworks presented by Colonial Fireworks with champagne compliments of Veuve Clicquot. On Saturday morning, hotel designer Carleton Varney will give a presentation, followed by a question and answer with the Musser family, hosted by WJR-AM’s Paul W. Smith. There will also be a Saturday afternoon of tournaments with golf on The Jewel golf course and bocci and croquet in the Tea Garden. On Saturday evening, three former Michigan governors will join Grand Hotel guests for a Grand Cocktail Reception and Governor’s Gala in the hotel’s Main Dining Room. Governors William Milliken, James Blanchard and John Engler have confirmed their attendance for the event. Additionally, Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley is attending representing the State of Michigan and Governor Rick Snyder will deliver a video message, as he will be out of the country. The evening festivities will conclude with a performance MC’d By Paul Anthony with acclaimed guitarist, vocalist and Grand Hotel Labor Day Jazz Weekend favorite John Pizzarelli.

Mackinac /?mæk?n??/ mak-in-aw) is a small island, 3.776 square miles (9.780 km2) in land area, in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located in Lake Huron, at the eastern end of the Straits of Mackinac, between the state’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas. The island was a Native American settlement before European exploration began in the 17th century. It served a strategic position amidst the commerce of theGreat Lakes fur trade. This led to the establishment of Fort Mackinac on the island by the British during the American Revolutionary War. It was the scene of two strategic battles during the War of 1812.

In 1886, the Michigan Central RailroadGrand Rapids and Indiana Railroad, and Detroit and Cleveland Steamship Navigation Company formed the Mackinac Island Hotel Company. The group purchased the land on which the hotel was built and construction began, based upon the design by Detroit architects Mason and Rice. When it opened the following year, the hotel was advertised to ChicagoErieMontreal and Detroitresidents as a summer retreat for vacationers who arrived by lake steamer and by rail from across the continent. At its opening, nightly rates at the hotel ranged from US$3 to US$5 a night

Grand Hotel’s front porch is purportedly the longest in the world at some 660 feet (200 m) in length, overlooking a vast Tea Garden and the resort-scale Esther Williamsswimming pool. These areas are often used by guests on a casual family vacation, for large conventions, or concerts during the hotel’s annual Labor Day Jazz Festival. The hotel has drawn some criticism for its charging a $10 fee for non-guests to enter the building and enjoy the view from the famous porch

  • Great work Steve! I like the photos! Hello from Michelle and I in Grand Rapids, MI. Hope you are enjoying time with your niece!


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Notice: After 22 years and over 900 weddings I am retiring from the wedding industry. If there are any bride and groom's that are still considering purchasing their copyrights to their pictures. Please message me or email info@photosbyblair.com and pass this on. It has been a "Spactabulas" amazing adventure and I met so many beautiful & wonderful people on my journey photographing one of many special days of your lives. I'm humbled to have had this opportunity to be a part of your special day. I will continue to sell my freelance work online & on Facebook. Another chapter with magical, music memories from beautiful Mackinac Island, MI. To all my family and friends, I miss you all so much. PL&H.