News
Niles History Center and the FSJAP are proud to announce that Fort St. Joseph in Pictures is now available! In this book, the lives of those residing at the post are illuminated through photographs documenting a selection of the more than 300,000 artifacts recovered from the site. Follow the link to order your copy today.
Recently, our Project was selected to be featured on the Michigan Archaeology Poster by the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office. October is Michigan Archaeology Month and the celebration kicked off with the Michigan Archaeology Day event in Lansing on October 7, 2023 at the Michigan History Center. To accompany the poster, the Michigan SHPO also launched a special webpage "Bringing Fort St. Joseph to Life," expanding on the content.
If you need any help or support, please reach out to us at coas-iias-fsj@wmich.edu.
Archaeological Field School
The next Western Michigan University archaeological field school will take place in Summer II 2025.
If you have questions about the program or the application process, please reach out to us at coas-iias-fsj@wmich.edu.
Staff and students will provide regular updates on the Project’s blog, Facebook, and Instagram pages.
Archaeology Summer CAMP Program
Sponsored by Western Michigan University and the City of Niles, the Fort St. Joseph Archaeology Summer Camp Program provides an opportunity for the public to investigate and interpret the history and archaeology of Fort St. Joseph, an 18th century mission, garrison, and trading post.
Campers will learn about archaeology and the history of Fort St. Joseph at the Niles District Library. In addition, they will perform lab activities and excavate at the site alongside WMU archaeologists and field school students.
Camp Dates & Applications
2025 Camp Dates to be determined.
ARCHAEOLOGY LECTURE SERIES
The Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project hosts an annual Summer Archaeology Lecture Series in conjunction with Western Michigan University’s archaeological field school. Please check back for our 2025 lecture theme and dates.
For more information, please check out the Project’s Facebook events or contact Niles District Library Program Manager, Andrea Burns, at 269-683-8545 ext. 116 or programming@nileslibrary.net.
Archaeology OPEN HOUSE
Visitors can explore the nationally recognized archaeological site of Fort St. Joseph during the Project’s Annual Archaeology Open House which will be held August 2025.
During the Open House, the public will be able to explore the site and our excavations, view recently discovered artifacts, learn about the people of the past through a living history village, enjoy a replica birchbark canoe ride, and much more! We look forward to seeing and celebrating with everyone there!
The Fort St. Joseph newsletter
The newsletter includes recent news about archaeology work and research, upcoming events, opportunities to get involved, and alumni of Fort St. Joseph. To subscribe, please fill out this brief form.
Videos of Public Archaeology at Fort St. Joseph
- See how University students and the community benefit from archaeology at Fort St. Joseph.
- Watch what happens when middle school students get involved in the project and get ready to get dirty.
- Watch project activities from a first person point-of-view.