The PAST Foundation’s 2005 Middle Island Field School Project is now 
online here:

http://www.pastfoundation.org/MiddleIsland/

The field school began last Monday, and continues through this coming 
Friday. In addition to daily updates, the website includes historical 
information on the life-saving station and service, and suggested 
reading for adults and young people.

The Middle Island Life-Saving Station, located near Alpena in northern 
Michigan, was built in the early 1880s following the establishment of 
the U.S. Life Saving Service in 1871. Various improvements and additions 
were constructed on site throughout its lifetime, until the station was 
decommissioned and abandoned in the 1950s. The Middle Island station 
worked in conjunction with a series of other life saving stations along 
the Lake Huron shore, the closest being at Thunder Bay Island 14 miles 
to the south, and Presque Isle 14 miles to the north.

The Middle Island Life-Saving Station Field School aims to introduce 
students to the method and theory of historical archaeological 
techniques. Students will work closely with qualified instructors to 
gain a working knowledge and hands-on experience with basic field 
methods. Students will participate in all aspects of the field project 
including, but not limited to, historical research; logistical planning 
and implementation; field work and associated planning and orchestration 
including survey, excavation and data processing; and public outreach 
and access.

The PAST Foundation is a Small Federal 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational 
foundation. The PAST Foundation's mission is to promote a better 
understanding of history and culture by teaming professional 
anthropologists and historians with the public to explore potential 
cultural sites both locally and globally.