In Spring 2025, the Tarragindi Archaeological Dig team and 45 students started excavating an old farm in Berrien Springs, Michigan. The farm was first established in 1836 by one of Berrien County's earliest settler families. The dig uncovered a slew of items from the farm's almost 200-year history, including over 500 antique and vintage bottles and the estimated 1780 Maria Theresa Thaler coin (pictured)... and we are nowhere near done excavating this two-acre site.
Our students had so much fun at the Spring 2025 Dig that we partnered with the Berrien County History Center and Berrien Township to add more fun programming and projects for Summer 2025 and Fall 2025. All programs are directed by archaeologist Dr Jan Sigvartsen PhD, who exceeds the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualifications Standards for Archaeology as stipulated in the Code of Federal Regulations, 36 CFR Part 61.
The goal of the Tarragindi Archaeological Dig and its parent not-for-profit, the Tarragindi Initiative, is to provide unique and remarkable childhood programs for young people - right here in Berrien County. We want them to be proud of being from Southwest Michigan by knowing this region's important indigenous and settler histories. We believe this bond with Berrien County and its past, coupled with these unique childhood experiences, will result in:
building friendships with other young people and teachers who want to see them thrive,
becoming more engaged and invested in their communities,
a desire to maintain and look after our region's homes, businesses, and public spaces, both historic and non-historic,
improved mental health, self-respect, and a desire to succeed,
and encourage economic growth in the future as these young people build businesses and raise families in this area.
Dig at the Tarragindi Archaeology dig over six weeks and help excavate an early Berrien County settler farm. This program is free! This farm was first settled by an early settler family in 1836. We found some amazing finds in Spring 2025, with plenty more to dig. Dr Jan Sigvartsen PhD will teach you to dig like a pro and each student receives their own dig kit to keep.
Join us to learn specialist skills in a restoration project for the Long Lake Cemetery in Berrien Springs - one of Berrien County's oldest cemeteries. This program is free! Learn about Berrien County's earliest settlers, many of whom are buried in the Long Lake cemetery, and how to research your own family history. Help us ensure each Civil War veteran in this cemetery has a VA headstone.
Bring your acting skills and reenact some historic trials and learn about social justice in the 1800s. This program is free! The History Center has generously allowed us to use the historic 1839 Courthouse in Berrien Springs for this class - Michigan's oldest surviving courthouse!
Each week, we will visit a different historic site in Berrien Springs. We will learn how to take amazing photos, especially for historic posterity. This program is free! Students can also submit their photos to a special youth photo archive to be kept at the History Center for future generations to enjoy.
Dr Sigvartsen is also offering a board gaming class and tournament this semester through the Berrien Springs Parent Partnership. Held at the Berrien Springs Community Library, this class will teach participants how to play German/European-style board games, a very popular genre of strategy board games.
Some of the games we have available to learn to play include: Settlers of Catan (plus expansions), Ticket to Ride (plus variations), Carcassonne, Goa, Pirate’s Cove, Alhambra, Caylus Magna Carta, Prince of Florence, In the Year of the Dragon, Attika, Tikal, Java, Mare Nostrum, China, El Grande, Puerto Rico, Tigris and Euphrates, St Petersburg, Patrician – Towering Glory, Ark of the Covenant, Louie XIV, Yspahan, and Thurn and Taxis.
Dr Sigvartsen is a former state finalist (he ultimately came third in Michigan) for the international Settlers of Catan tournament held several years ago.
Join one of the six dig programs at the Berrien County History Center in July 2025. We will be digging right next to the old Records building, which was originally built in 1849. Since then, it has been used as a county office, part of the original Berrien Springs Andrews University campus back in 1900, and later as private apartments.
This dig has both child and adult programs, so adults get to dig too! Only parents/guardians of participating children can register to dig at Kids Digs. A fee is charged to help cover some of our costs. You can register to join a five-day program (2.5 hours a day for five weekdays), or just a one-day program (morning or evening).
Jan Sigvartsen PhD, has taught Archaeology and Ancient Religion classes at Andrews University, Michigan, and the Theologische Hochschule Friedensau, Germany, where he was also their PhD Programs Coordinator and Associate Director of their Institute of Biblical Studies and Archaeology. He has participated in archaeological digs in the USA and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. He has traveled extensively to historic sites globally and has lived in Israel, Norway, England, Germany, Australia, and the United States. Dr Sigvartsen exceeds the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation and Professional Qualifications Standards as stipulated in the Code of Federal Regulations, 36 CFR Part 61.
Leanne Sigvartsen originally trained as a psychologist in Australia and spent many years as a counselor and academic advisor for teens and young adults. She then transitioned to research project management, working on a number of projects, most recently as the Research and Special Projects Director at the Chicago-based Center for Collaborative Study of Trauma, Health Equity, and Neurobiology. She is a triple citizen of the United States, Australia, and Malta, and has lived in the United States, Australia, and Germany. She wants to see young people succeed, be happy, and grow into thriving adults - especially those who have experienced trauma and adverse childhood experiences.