Presque Isle County Archaeology

Presque Isle County Historical Museum
Mark Thompson

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Anyone interested in learning about the early Native American history of northeast Michigan is invited to attend a lecture by noted archaeologist Donald Simons at the Rogers City Senior and Community Center on June 14. Simons will explain some of the research projects he has been involved in and will give his views on the archaeological potential of the northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan based on the research record and the environment. He will also be displaying many prehistoric and historic artifacts.

Simons, from Grand Blanc, has been an active member of the Michigan Archaeological Society for 45 years and is currently serving his third term as president of the organization. He has also served as president of the Flint and Saginaw chapters for more than 10 terms.

Simons has directed four major excavations and done many research surveys, in addition to participating in many excavations directed by other archaeologists. He has given over one hundred presentations on those subjects. He has also authored and co-authored a number of reports on his research. The most significant pertain to the Gainey and Butler sites which are, respectively, Michigan’s oldest and largest known prehistoric sites. The Gainey site in Genesee County dates to the Paleo-Indian period, 10,000-11,500 years ago—shortly after the recession of the last glaciers.

In 1996, Simons was the first recipient of the Ira Butterfield Award for “outstanding contributions to Michigan archaeology” from COMA, the organization of Michigan professional archaeologists. He and his wife Phyllis also received an Award of Merit from the Historical Society of Michigan for their work at the Gainey site.

Simons’ visit is being sponsored by the Presque Isle County Historical Museum as part of their ongoing efforts to document the history of Presque Isle County. The presentation will begin at 5:30 p.m. Admission is free. Dinner will also be available at the Center beginning at 4:30 p.m. for a donation of $5 per person.