Program: "The 1996 Archaeological Excavation of La Salle's Ship Belle"

The GLCMS brought Texas State Marine Archaeologist J. Barto Arnold to Michigan to present two free public forums on the excavation of the Belle. The Belle was a 17th century French supply ship sent to establish a colony in the New World, and one of the earliest shipwreck sites discovered in American waters. The Belle excavation was the subject of significant national and international interest, and Arnold's visit represented the first public presentation of this project in the Midwest. Arnold offered a colloquium on maritime archaeology for WMU graduate students, an extensive interview on WMUK, and well attended free public slide-lectures at WNW's Dalton Center and the Michigan Historical Center in Lansing, This program, designed in part to promote public awareness of GLCMS, was supported by private donations. Additional funding and in kind services were provided by WMU.