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 7th 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 Western Michigan University archaeological field school will take place in Summer II 2024, from July 9 to August 9, 2024.
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
2024 Camp Dates:
- July 16-19: Experienced Learners (for camp attendees in the last 5 years)
- July 22-26: Entering Grades 6-12
July 29-August 2: Lifelong Learners and Educators
Registration information can be found at www.nileshistorycenter.org. For questions or more information about the camps, please contact the Project's Public Education Instructor, Tim Bober, at timothy.bober@wmich.edu.
ARCHAEOLOGY LECTURE SERIES
The Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project will host its 13th annual Summer Archaeology Lecture Series in conjunction with Western Michigan University’s archaeological field school. Each speaker will focus their presentation on our theme “Connections: Exploring New France.” Lectures will be held at the Niles District Library (620 E. Main St. Niles, MI 49120) and begin at 6:30 pm. We hope to see you there.
July 17
"Archaeology of the River Raisin Settlement & War of 1812 Battlefield, Monroe, MI"
John Chenoweth, Associate Professor of Anthropology, University of Michigan - Dearborn
July 24
"Documentary and Material Evidence of Women at Fort St. Joseph”
Michael Nassaney, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology Western Michigan University
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
Come visit and explore the nationally recognized archaeological site of Fort St. Joseph during the Project’s Annual Archaeology Open House August 3-4, 2024 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
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.