NILES — People are invited to experience the past at the annual Fort St. Joseph Archaeology Open House.

The open house will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 4 to 5, at the actual dig site near Bond and Fort streets in Niles. The event is free and open to the public. All ages can see a variety of living history reenactors, free canoe rides, children’s activities and a chance to see what this year’s archaeology has uncovered about Niles’ past.

“Technology: Then and Now” is the theme of this year’s event. Visitors will discover how the exchange of technology was a significant factor in the fort’s establishment as well as how archaeologists use technology to study the past. Children can take part in a number of activities, including screening for artifacts and participating in a bead trading activity.

History buffs can attend several lectures delivered by public scholars throughout the weekend. Adventurers can paddle a replica 36- foot voyageur canoe and participate in a historical walking tour. Visitors can be immersed in living history through reenactors portraying aspects of 18th Century life. Additionally, attendees can see first-hand this year’s finds and visit with student archaeologists to peek inside dig sites and learn about how they do the work.

Established by France in 1691, Fort St. Joseph was a mission, trade post and garrison located on the St. Joseph River near present-day Niles. After its abandonment in 1781, the exact location of the Fort was lost. In 1998, Niles’ Support the Fort, Inc. called on Western Michigan University’s Dr. Michael Nassaney to conduct an investigation to locate Fort St. Joseph in the area that Joseph Peyser of Indiana University of South Bend had identified as the potential site.

Since then, Dr. Nassaney and teams of WMU students have worked to uncover the history of Niles’ colonial past. Today, the Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project is a collaboration between Western Michigan University and the city of Niles, with support from the greater community.

The open house event will take place at the archaeological site at Bond Street just north of the intersection with Fort Street. Directional sites will be posted. Parking is available along Bond Street.

Event admission is free of charge, but donations are accepted to support the Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project. Support the Fort, Inc. is sponsoring voyageur canoe rides, allowing attendees to ride free of charge. Boy Scout Troop #579 will offer food and beverages for sale. For further information, check out the website at wmich.edu/fortstjoseph or contact the Niles History Center at HCdirector@nilesmi.org or call 269-845-4054. For updates on the project, find Fort St. Joseph on Facebook (“The Fort St Joseph Archaeological Project”), Instagram (@fsjarchaeology), or on its blog (fortstjosepharchaeology.blogspot.com).