By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Western Michigan University and the Fort St. Joseph Museum were honored recently by the Historical Society of Michigan for their work with the Fort St. Joseph archaeological program.
The Historical Society of Michigan is the state's oldest cultural organization, founded in 1828 by Lewis Cass and Henry Schoolcraft. It is an independent non-profit dedicated to the education and advancement of Michigan's historical story.
The Historical Society of Michigan presented its 2007 State History Awards at the 133rd annual State History Conference held in Macomb County Sept. 28-30.
"Obviously we are thrilled about this. It's the highest history and education award in the state. We feel very honored to receive it," Carol Bainbridge, Director of the Museum said.
In 1998, the Anthropology, Geosciences and History Departments at Western Michigan University joined forces with the City of Niles and the Fort St. Joseph Museum to begin an archaeological exploration of the Fort St. Joseph location. Their work succeeded in locating the remains of houses at the post, along with artifacts left behind by its French, English and Native American inhabitants.
WMU and the Fort St. Joseph Museum were recognized for creating a wide range of programs to teach the public about the fort's history. Newspaper and magazine articles, PowerPoint presentations and even coloring books for children have described the fort's history.
"The museum and Western Michigan University are very pleased. Hopefully this is another step forward," Bainbridge said.
A Community Days Open House at the field site features historical re-enactors, artifact exhibits and a variety of educational programs.
Fifteen awards were presented in a variety of categories including Publications: University and Commercial Press, Local Societies, Publications: Private Printing, Publications: Children and Youth, Communications, Media, Educational Programs, Restoration &Preservation, Distinguished Volunteer Service, Institutions, Special Programs and Events.
For more information on the State History Awards, the annual State History Conference or the Historical Society of Michigan please visit www.hsmichigan.org.
Living History Fair Open to Public
Support the Fort, Inc invites the public to the Fort Saint Joseph Living History Fair, Saturday, Oct. 20. The event will be open to the public from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and the event is free.
South Riverfront Park on Bond Street (at the French Paper Dam) is the site for the event. This is a continuation of Education Day, which is held on the 19th for the fourth grade students from area schools.
Six villages with 24 presenters will be manned by Michigan and Michiana reenactors who will be plying their trades/skills and open to questions from the public. The reenactors will demonstrate and talk about life circa 1750 when Michigan's early fur trade history was vibrant. They are: domestic arts, military, voyageur, Native American, modern professional historians/archaeology and period music.
Niles resident Cheri Hallwood will be sharing her stories. A period fashion show will be held during the event. Military drills will be held that the public can participate in and perhaps even a press gang could occur. Kevin Finny will have his conical bark lodge in the Native village and the public is invited to take a look and ask questions. Voyageurs will have real birch bark canoes and furs on display.
They are honored to have representatives of the Sons of the Revolution for the opening and closing color ceremonies. The Sons of the Revolution will be in the area for their fall gathering and meeting.
Chairperson Janine Horrigan said "Support the Fort is excited to offer this event to the public as well as the children of the schools. Education Day is designed to enrich the student's knowledge about local Michigan history and the connection of this area to the world through trade. We are also pleased that we have expanded this event by asking more reenactors to demonstrate their trade from previous Education Days." Education Day is designed to aid the students in their MEAP testing.
For more information about the event, call 269-683-1786 or 269-687-0377.