The Niles Community and the Field School

Hi Fort Followers,        

        My name is Alex Renfro; I am a senior at Western Michigan University studying anthropology and currently attending the Archeological Field School hosted at Fort St. Joseph in present-day Niles, Michigan. I am originally from St. Joseph Michigan, about a twenty-minute drive away from Niles. Despite this fact, before field school I didn’t go to Niles frequently except for the rare occasion I went to the scream park in October for thrills.  

        During the weeks leading up to field school, a small part of me thought that the community would hold myself and the other students in low regard. Young college kids who either unenthusiastically visit their city for college credits or come to drink and party as many college movies depict. Very quickly I found that my fears of an unwelcoming community were misplaced.  

Field school students, summer campers, and community members listening to Z
explaining his and Ariel’s unit and what they have found.  

      The community of Niles has embraced and welcomed us with open arms. This is because of their strong interest in what the Project is doing in Niles. By excavating at the fort, we are uncovering the city's history which allows people to take pride in their community, assists in educating students and lifelong learners, and tries to helps local businesses by showcasing Niles as a potential tourist destination. Every interaction I have had with members of the community has been pleasant and made me feel welcomed and wanted. 

         A notable example of this generosity was from the second day staying in Niles. A dinner was held by the staff and members of the Niles history center to meet the students. After sharing where I am from, several people stopped me from talking about their connections to my hometown. This stood out to me because it meant that people wanted to get to know me on a more personal level.

The Fort St. Joseph Museum downtown Niles Michigan who allowed us to
walk around and learn more about the city while we were unable to dig them to rain 

        Another example occurred during a particularly rainy morning when we were unable to excavate the site right away. The Niles History Center allowed us to look around the Fort St. Joseph Museum so that we could learn more about the town’s history and about the artifacts that had been found in previous seasons. We also had the opportunity to tour the museum collections and ask questions about how to set up exhibits, what things a local museum collects, and how they help the community as a whole.

        Interactions like these, as well as providing the staff and students at the field school, is why I wanted to write this post in the first place, to say thank you for welcoming and allowing us to take on a major role in your community. The first two weeks have been very special to me and many other students, and I really hope that I get to learn more about the fort, the city, and the community of Niles, Michigan.  

- Alex