Researching Fort St. Joseph

Fort St. Joseph, first established as a mission in the 1680s by French Jesuits, was one of the earliest European settlements in the western Great Lakes region. By the 18th century, the Fort had become an important link in the chain of similar frontier settlements that staked out the far reaches of New France; for almost 80 years, French priests, enlisted men and traders lived at Fort St. Joseph in close contact with Native groups also living in the area, specifically the Potawatomi and Miami.

Archaeological investigations at Fort St. Joseph have unearthed thousands of religious, military, and domestic artifacts, revealing details about the people who once occupied this frontier outpost. Excavations and collection-based research are conducted by the staff and student participants of the Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project, a partnership between Western Michigan University and the City of Niles. Erika Hartley, Director of the Project, will discuss the archaeological work occurring at the fort and will share a presentation showcasing the dig.