Explore Michigan Archaeology Day Oct. 18 in Lansing

If you have ever wondered what it's like to be an archaeologist, don’t miss the chance to find out! Attend Michigan Archaeology Day 2025 at the Michigan History Museum in Lansing Saturday, Oct. 18. 

“Archaeology is the scientific study of the human past, using places and artifacts to understand changing people and environments,” said Stacy Tchorzynski, director of archaeology for the Michigan History Center. “Thanks to the work of archaeologists, traces of everyday life dating back some 14,000 years ago have been discovered in Michigan. Studying the lives of those who came before us can help inform the future we are working toward.”  

Hosted by the Michigan History Center, an agency of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office and Colonial Michilimackinac, the day runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Archaeologists and experts from other related fields will be stationed on the first and second floors of the Michigan History Museum to answer your questions. There will also be plenty of hands-on activities, demonstrations and a special presentation happening in other areas of the MHC grounds. What will you uncover?

• Family-friendly activities, demos
• Presentation on the Edmund Fitzgerald
• Talk with exhibitors
• Attendance information
• Questions?
• Photos

Family-friendly activities, demos

Participate in a variety of fun, family-friendly activities, including an Archaeology Roadshow (in the spirit of the PBS television series, "Antiques Roadshow"). Bring in a find of your own, and our on-site experts will help you identify the object, learn what it is and explain how you can report potential archaeological sites. If your find can fit into a shoebox, bring it in! (To support the preservation of archaeological artifacts and sites, no estimates of objects’ monetary values will be provided at this event.)

Additionally, you can:

• Make a clay pinch pot.
• Watch a flintknapper make stone tools.
• Try throwing a spear using an atlatl (AT-lad-uhl).
• Watch archaeologists demonstrate new survey technologies.
• Join a scavenger hunt.
• Play an artifact sorting game.

Presentation on the Edmund Fitzgerald

Archaeology Day will include a special afternoon presentation in the Forum Auditorium on the first floor of the Michigan History Center.

1 to 2:30 p.m. – The Edmund Fitzgerald Investigations by Ric Mixter, author, documentarian and shipwreck historian.

The Edmund Fitzgerald, resting on the bottom of Lake Superior, is the Great Lakes’ largest shipwreck. The entire crew of 29 died under towering waves in 1975.

Mixter is one of only a few people who have personally visited the wreck. He dove 550 feet down in a submersible to explore for nearly two hours. Mixter has since interviewed people who built, sailed and searched for the Fitz. His research has changed how many envision the sinking and has culminated in a book, three PBS documentaries and a four-hour podcast. Mixter has appeared as an expert on the National Geographic, Discovery and History channels.

Visitors can take home a free poster about the Edmund Fitzgerald and underwater archaeology, courtesy of the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office.

Talk with exhibitors

A walk through the Michigan History Museum on a normal day provides visitors with a lot of information about the history of our state. On Archaeology Day, the museum exhibits aren't the only way to learn!

On the first and second floors of the museum, you'll find exhibitors from a variety of organizations. Archaeologists and experts in similar fields will be ready to talk about their work and answer your questions.

Some booths you can visit:

• Archaeology vs. Paleontology: What's the Difference?
  Cranbrook Institute of Science.
• Finds from Fort St. Joseph
  Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project.
• Warner Pioneer Homestead
  Warner Pioneer Homestead.
• Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School
  Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan.
• UMMAA in Michigan: Research Past & Future
  University of Michigan Museum of Anthropological Archaeology.
• Underwater Archaeology: Ships and Planes of the Great Lakes
  Michigan History Center-DNR.

“This year, school robotics teams are participating in the archaeology-themed FIRST LEGO League Unearthed challenge. We encourage those students to explore Archaeology Day, where they can meet archaeologists and ask questions to fuel their curiosity and problem-solving skills,” said Tchorzynski.

Attendance information

Michigan Archaeology Day is suitable for all ages and open to anyone curious about archaeology – plus, it's free! There will be no museum entrance or parking fees for the event.

“This event is a great way to get acquainted with archaeology, archaeologists and those who work in similar fields,” said Sandra Clark, director of the Michigan History Center. “The work of our archaeology team, and others around the state, is irreplaceable. We hope this event inspires future archaeologists and greater overall curiosity about the world we share.”

The Michigan History Center is located at 702 W. Kalamazoo St., Lansing, MI 48915. Here is more helpful information about planning your visit.

Questions?

For more on Archaeology Day, contact Stacy Tchorzynski at 517-388-4657.

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Photos

Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows. Photos courtesy of Michigan History Center unless noted otherwise.

• Explore archaeology: Michigan Archaeology Day, Oct. 18 in Lansing, includes a variety of activities suitable for both kids and adults.
• Archaeology Roadshow: Attendees can bring in a find of their own and experts will help identify it.
• Edmund Fitzgerald: This year's event features a presentation by Ric Mixter, one of the few people who have dived on the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, the largest shipwreck in the Great Lakes. Photo credit: Robert Campbell. 
• Visit with experts: Attendees will find archaeologists and experts from related fields throughout the first and second floors of the Michigan History Museum.