Information on the militia muster at Fort St. Joseph on the eve of the American Revolution will be the focus of a free Western Michigan University lecture at 7 p.m. July 24 at the Niles District Library.

Subsequently the U.S. Park Service has recognized the fort as a Revolutionary War site. For the past 10 years, Western Michigan University professors and students have been conducting extensive archaeological research along the east bank of the St. Joseph River. The focus of the project has been the investigation and interpretation of Fort St. Joseph, an eighteenth-century mission, garrison and trading post that was discovered by Western Michigan University archaeologists in 1998.

During the 2012 Open House program, Living History re-enactors interpreted the militia muster and it was professionally filmed.  In addition the video includes to a variety of interviews and perspectives on the art of historical re-enacting as well as the importance of the archaeological work taking pace and what it adds to the historical narratives.  Dr. Michael Nassaney, Fort St Joseph Principal Investigator and Professor of Anthropology and Bob Myers, curator of the Berrien County History Museum and re-enactor, will introduce the program. This program may provide you with a better understanding of our colonial past.

This is the second program of the season presented at the Niles District Library. There is no admission fee and the program will take place in the Community Room on the lower level. The Library is located at 620 E. Main St., Niles.