While exploring Mackinaw City this summer, visitors will have the option of reading about points of interest on informational signs, or they can punch in a number on their cellular telephones to listen to a recorded message explaining the site and its historical significance.

The Mackinaw Area Historical Society, Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum, Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce, and Emmet County have partnered to develop free cellular telephone tours.

“I think it will be of great benefit to the tourists who can learn a lot more [from the recorded tour] than they can from the signs,” said Sandy Planisek of the Mackinaw Area Historical Society.

When the system is completed in May, about 50 sites will have messages, which are recorded by Mackinaw City residents. Bill Marvin, president of the historical society, is among those who will record messages, which can give basic information or play the role of a historical figure.

Other destinations, such as trail stops, might be added to the cellular recordings in the future.

“We can do a lot of things,” Mrs. Planisek said. “It doesn't have to be just about history.”

Information about the environment could be included at the trail stops, or the recordings could suggest other sites to visit. Some areas could discuss current events at the village, or the eco-friendly qualities of a building, for example, said Dawn Edwards, executive director of the Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce.

Listening to the audio tours on cellular telephones is convenient , Mrs. Planisek said, because visitors will use their own equipment and won't have to learn new techniques to access the tour.

At the recreated historic village west of town, if a guide is busy speaking with someone or has an errand to run, visitors can dial the site number and still receive an interpretation of the attractions, Mrs. Planisek added.

“The test will be for us to create great recordings,” Mrs. Planisek said.

Each stop will have a 60-second to 90-second recording. Cell phone users with Internet access can also visit a Web site to download all of the audio tours, a map listing the sites, and accompanying photographs and videos.

In the meantime, volunteers are welcome, and any college student looking for an internship who is skilled at shooting video can call the village hall to help, Mrs. Planisek suggested.

Signs will be erected throughout the village notifying passersby they are near a cell phone tour area. Calls will also be logged in a system the partners can access at any time. Information available will be the number of calls a site receives, repeat calls, and the length of time someone listened to the recording.

“It's going to give us a flood of information,” Mrs. Planisek said. “We can evaluate how well a site did.”

The cellular tour idea was developed last year during a bike trail committee meeting, when a company providing such a service promoted the concept for the bike trail, although the program was later declined because of the cost. The company's service would be active throughout the year, while the committee only wanted six months.

In early 2010, the historical society revisited the idea and asked others to partner with them to share in the costs. A plan for six months was developed.

The four partners are paying $700 each to the company to provide the service, a total of $2,800. The plan is to make tours available from May 15 through October 15.