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.
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News
The process of 3D scanning improves archaeologists’ ability to curate and share archaeological evidence by using photos to create 3D images of excavation units, features, and artifacts. Here, Nick Harvey, a WMU undergraduate, has been using this technology to capture intricate details in a digital composition for the public to view.
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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.
2026 Summer Camps:
July 13-17: Students Entering Grades 6-8; Monday-Friday, 9 am-3 pm, Cost $175
July 20-24: Students Entering Grades 9-12; Monday-Friday, 9 am-3 pm, Cost $175
July 27-31: Lifelong Learners and Educators (SCECHs available); Monday-Friday, 9 am-3 pm, Cost $175
July 28-August 1: Experienced Learners (must have completed camp program in past 5 years); Tuesday-Saturday 9 am-3 pm, Cost $125
For questions or more information, please contact the Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project at coas-iias-fsj@wmich.edu.
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 2026. 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.
Community Outreach
Are you participating in the international First Robotics, First Tech Challenge, and First Lego League competition? Are you hoping to learn more about archaeology in general? How archaeologists examine sites and interpret artifacts? What tools and technology we use?
Click here to learn more about archaeology and access resources to learn more about our field
Join us August 1-2, 2026 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm 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.
2026 Summer Lecture Series: Coming Soon!
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.
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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."
