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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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.
Summer Camp Program
The 2026 Summer camps will be announced soon, please contact us at @email with questions.
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 2-3, 2025 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.
2025 Summer Lecture Series:
July 9th - Reweaving Forgotten Histories: Lead Cloth Seals, Fort St. Joseph, and French Textiles; Cathrine Davis, PhD, College of William and Mary
July 16th - Prairie Ambitions: French Exploration on the Edge of Empire; Andrew J. Robinson, State Archaeologist of North Dakota, State Historical Society of North Dakota
July 23rd - Archaeological Evidence of French Activities in Northern Indiana: Where is the Fur Trade? Mark Schurr, Professor, Notre Dame University
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."
