Words from the project director

Hi everyone!

Dr. Nassaney explain a find...

It is again that time for our weekly speaker. Tonight marks the third event of our Summer Lecture Series and will consist of a talk from the Fort St. Joseph Archaeology Project's Principal Director, Dr. Michael Nassaney. He will focus on the connections between Fort St. Joesph and the fur trade, with a particular emphasis on what past and recent finds at the site can tell us about trade relations. Please join us in the community room of the Niles District Library at 7:30. We will have updates from the field, examples of our recent finds, and our new t-shirts! Support the Fort will also again generously provide snacks. Don't miss it!

...helps out with a screen...

Also, in light of our rapidly approaching Open House Dr. Nassaney would like to formally invite everyone to the event and say a few words about the project and the site's history:

"Dear Fort Followers,

I welcome you to attend the 2011 Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project's Sixth Annual Open House! The project has been in the field since July 6 after a busy year of analysis in the lab and attending conferences and other venues to spread the word about this project. With your help, we were winners of the Archaeological Institute of America's first education outreach contest this past Spring!

...and participates in a Musket Drill at a
previous Open House event!

As you may know, Fort St. Joseph was an integral part of the French fur trade in the western Great Lakes for nearly two centuries. Lost to the ravages of time, the fort was rediscovered in 1998 by Western Michigan University archaeologists who have been investigating and interpreting the site ever since. The theme of this year's Open House is the Fur Trade. Evidence of this important economic and political process abounds in our excavations as testified by the lead seals, imported glass beads, and numerous other objects that were intended for trade or used by the traders themselves along the banks of the St. Joseph River nearly three centuries ago.

At the Open House see some of these objects on display, read about the trade through informative panels, listen to public scholars, interact with reenactors demonstrating 18th century life, and meet with student archaeologists. Please be sure to introduce yourself and tell us how you may want to get involved in the project.


Looking forward to meeting you in the trenches, the lab, or on the lecture circuit!"

-Dr. Michael S. Nassaney

Seeing artifacts and learning from historical
 interpreters at the Open House.

I certainly hope everyone has their calendars marked for the Open House event which will be held on August 13th and 14th from 10-4. I will be sure to post more details in the upcoming days and remind everyone again about this exciting chance to see archaeology and discovery in action! In the meantime please click on the flyer below for a close-up of what to expect. Tell your friends and family...it's free!

Kelley