Original Mackinac Island Butterfly House906-847-3972CallTickets
A smiling staff member in an orange shirt plants flowers among purple salvia inside the glass-roofed garden.

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A garden built around curiosity.

The attraction traces its start to 1991 and to founder Doug Beardsley, with education and live exhibits at its center.

Buy tickets ↗Full story on official site ↗

Planting day inside the garden.

Since 1991

A place with a long memory.

Opened in 1991 as Michigan’s first live butterfly exhibit, founded by Doug Beardsley. The full history, mission and people are on the official About page.

Families walk the brick path through the glass-roofed garden, between raised beds of flowers and vines.
The garden under glass.
A staff member in a purple shirt talks with visitors seated on the low garden wall, surrounded by flower beds.
A staff talk among the beds.
Visitors look at an insect held up close during an encounter.
An insect encounter, up close.
1991 · Origin

Michigan’s first.

Founded by Doug Beardsley in 1991.

Today · Place

Keep the garden alive.

A tropical butterfly garden, Insect World and learning on site.

Next · Visit

Come look closer.

The best way to understand it is to walk through the garden.

A staff member in a purple Butterfly House shirt holds an insect on her open hand while four children lean in to look.
An animal encounter, up close.

The team

People make the learning visible.

The team includes staff with science, entomology and education backgrounds. Meet them on the official About page.

  • Education is part of the attraction’s stated purpose.
  • Staff knowledge connects exhibit details to visitor questions.
  • A Butterfly I.D. Chart and educational signs support the garden experience.
Read the official About page ↗

Your next step

Let the place tell you more.

Use the visit planner for tickets, accessibility and directions, then move into the garden or Insect World with a little context.

Plan the visit →
Call 906-847-3972Tickets ↗