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Interviews with news makers and discussion of topics important to Southwest Michigan. Subscribe to the podcast through Apple itunes and Google. Segments of interview are heard in WestSouthwest Brief during Morning Edition and All Things Considered

WSW: Digging For Clues About the Fort Of Four Flags

Andy Robins, WMUK

For nearly 20 years, faculty and students from Western Michigan University have been digging at the site of Fort Saint Joseph in Niles. After 250 years, nothing of the fort is left standing above ground. 

On Saturday and Sunday, the public can see what the archaeologists have been finding. A public open house at Fort Saint Josephwill be held this Saturday and Sunday in Niles from 10:00a.m to 4:00p.m.

WMUK’s Andy Robins spoke with Western professor of anthropology Michael Nassaney – the chief investigator at Fort Saint Joseph – and with public outreach coordinator Liz Mantyck. 

Credit Andy Robins, WMUK
Liz Mantyck (left) and Michael Nassaney

The fort was established by the French in the late 17th Century. Called the “Fort of Four Flags,” Nassaney says after the French, the British held the fort along the Saint Joseph River, and the Spanish took over for a single day. Eventually the American flag flew over Fort Saint Joseph

Nassaney says it’s hard to know what Fort Saint Joseph looked like because there are no drawings, and of course no photographs. He says archaeological digs like this one can help develop an idea of the structure. 

WSW-Fort_St-Joseph-Full-Web.mp3
Interview with Michael Nassaney and Liz Mantyck - web version

Mantik says people who come to the open house will see recreations of life at the fort. She says they will also see students working on the archaeological dig at Fort St. Joseph. Nassaney says the public can get a view of how tedious the process, and a greater appreciation of the work of archaeology.

Andy Robins has been WMUK's News Director since 1998 and a broadcast journalist for over 24 years. He joined WMUK's staff in 1985. Under his direction, WMUK has received numerous awards for news reporting.
Gordon Evans became WMUK's Content Director in 2019 after more than 20 years as an anchor, host and reporter. A 1990 graduate of Michigan State, he began work at WMUK in 1996.
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