Cultural Archives | Page 2 of 2 | The Story of Ste. Marie II

Commemorative Plaque

ca. Mid 20th Century A. F. Hunter, in a dedication speech at the site, is quoted as saying, “In 1886 (thirty seven years ago) when the present speaker […]

Ste. Marie II Trade Beads

Date: Mid 17th Century These trade beads, made of glass share a story of some of the earliest interactions between European settlers and First Nations peoples. Trade beads […]

Map of Kidd’s Excavations

Kidd’s excavations focused on the corner bastions. The southwest bastion was 14 feet long by 11 feet wide, with 18 inch thick stone walls. The footing extended 4 […]

The Decision to Leave Christian Island: Jesuit Perspective

Fade in: The Decision to Leave Christian Island: Jesuit Perspective Father Michael is sitting in his office that overlooks the stone façade of the Martyr’s Shrine. (Fr.Michael Knox […]

Early Wendake (Huronia)

Fade in: Early Wendake (Huronia) Jamie sitting on a printed red and white couch in his library with books filling the background. (Dr. Jamie Hunter, Archaeologist) When the French, […]

1965 Excavations Feature 1

Date: 1965 The construction trench for the building became increasingly apparent with the excavation. Approximately twenty-two feet of continuous trench was uncovered outlining the corner of the structure […]

Test Trench Map by P. Carruthers

ca. 1965 Four major features were uncovered, including the partial, well-preserved but mostly charred remains of a building against the north wall, among which was found a rich […]

A.E Jones Illustration of Early Ste. Marie I

Date: ca. 19th century This map is reproduced from one of the earliest understandings of the site and shows the forts situation in relation to the River Wye […]

Glass Fragments

ca. Mid 17th Century Among the artifacts found in the 1965 excavations were melted nuggets of bronze alloy and fused fragments of possible ceramic material. The rest of the […]

Bronze Chapel Bell

ca. 1637 “From Chapel of Fort Ste. Marie II, Christian Island, found by John Copycog in 1917, when digging his garden near the ruins of the Fort. The […]

Copper Projectile Point

Date: 1640- 1650 This copper projectile point is one of only a handful discovered on the island. Used by both the Huron- Wendat and the Jesuits for hunting […]

Christian Island Astrolabe

Date: 1595 The Christian Island Astrolabe was found in the 1920’s at Ste. Marie II by Elijah Monague, a local Ojibway man. The astrolabe is one of three […]