Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project

The canoe at Fort St. Joseph loaded with participants, going down river.

Institute for Intercultural and Anthropological Studies
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5494 USA
(269) 387-2505

Discover Fort St. Joseph

Nestled along the St. Joseph River, Fort St. Joseph was once a vital hub of colonial life, where French settlers, soldiers, fur traders, and Native American groups coexisted. The Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project is dedicated to unearthing this rich past, bringing over 25 years of research to life through excavations, artifacts, and public programming. Whether you’re a student looking for hands-on experience or a history enthusiast eager to explore, our project offers immersive opportunities to connect with the past. 

Support the Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project

The Fort St. Joseph Project relies heavily on private donations and volunteers to assist with funding students, defraying the cost of excavations, field preparation and equipment maintenance, curating artifacts, and hosting educational programs and public events.
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Learn With Us

Field School

Our WMU Archaeological Field School is at the heart of our project, offering WMU students unique experiential learning opportunities. Students gain hands-on experience in excavation, artifact analysis, and public outreach, acquiring valuable skills for careers in archaeology, anthropology, education, and public history.  

The next WMU Archaeological Field School will take place in Summer II 2025. If you have questions about the program or application process, please reach out to us at coas-iias-fsj@wmich.edu.

See what our staff and students are working on by connecting with us.

WMU research students on the St. Joseph archeological dig.

Summer Camp Program

Sponsored by Western Michigan University and the City of Niles, our unique Fort St. Joseph Archaeology Summer Camp Program invites you to step into the shoes of an archaeologist and explore the fascinating history of Fort St. Joseph, an 18th-century mission, garrison, and trading post.

Campers will dive into hands-on learning at the Niles District Library, where they’ll explore archaeology and the fort's rich history. Then, they'll head into the field, joining WMU archaeologists and field school students to excavate the site and analyze artifacts, bringing history to life, one discovery at a time. 

Dates and details for the 2025 summer camps are still being finalized, so be sure to check back for updates. 

A student researcher finds and artifact of note at the Fort St. Joseph dig site.

Community Outreach

Join us in August 2025 for our exciting Annual Archaeology Open House, where history comes to life! Visitors will have the unique opportunity to tour the nationally recognized archaeological site of Fort St. Joseph, witness live excavations, and marvel at recently uncovered artifacts.

Step back in time with our living history village, experience a replica birchbark canoe ride, and immerse yourself in the daily life of 18th-century settlers. With hands-on activities and interactive exhibits, there’s something for everyone. We can’t wait to celebrate history and discovery with you! 

Each year, in partnership with Western Michigan University’s archaeological field school, we host the Summer Archaeology Lecture Series, where experts share insights into the exciting discoveries and research happening at Fort St. Joseph. Stay tuned for our 2025 lecture theme and dates!

For updates, visit the Project’s Facebook events page or reach out to Andrea Burns, Program Manager at the Niles District Library, at 269-683-8545 ext. 116 or programming@nileslibrary.net.

A group of visitors interacting with historic actors at the Fort St. Joseph historical site.

Dig In More

Fort St. Joseph in Pictures

Learn about the lives of those residing at Fort St. Joseph through photographs documenting a selection of the more than 300,000 artifacts recovered from the site.

Michigan State Preservation Office

The Fort St. Joseph Archaeology Project was featured on the October 2023 Michigan Archaeology Poster by the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office, which was further expanded with a special webpage "Bringing Fort St. Joseph to Life." 

The cover of Fort St. Joseph in Pictures book.