Set for August 5 will be a Fort St. Joseph Archaeology Open House in Niles. Niles History Center Director Christina Arseneau tells us Fort St. Joseph, located along the St. Joseph River, was built by the French in 1691. Western Michigan University archaeologists have held a field school there since 1998. The open house will be a chance for everyone to come and see what they’ve unearthed.
“They’ve been able to identify at least six different houses,” Arseneau said. “So, there are some foundations, some stones to indicate where fireplaces may have once been. Then there’s all kinds of evidence of daily life. We know that they were trading there, so we find all kinds of traded goods like beads, parts of knives, medallions. We also find evidence of missionaries there. We find rosary beads.”
Arseneau says Fort St. Joseph housed around 15 to 20 people, mostly traders, soldiers, and priests. It’s a glimpse into life 300 years ago.
“This is our history, and this is world history that was happening right here in Niles. This area was claimed by the French at first, and then it was ruled by the British. There were different native groups interacting.”
The open house will be August 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They’ll have a reception at the start. The Berrien County Parks Department will be on hand with live animals who may have lived near the Fort, while Sarett Nature Center will offer rides on a 30-foot replica voyageur canoe along the St. Joseph River. Plus, they’ll have reenactors portraying the people of the post. Everyone’s invited.
