Presented by the Governor’s Archaeology Advisory Commission at the 13th Annual Arizona Statewide Historic Preservation Partnership Conference held in Nogales, June 2014.

Lifetime Achievement: James W. Garrison

We are very pleased to present James W. Garrison with the Lifetime Achievement award. Mr. Garrison currently serves as the State Historic Preservation Officer. He graduated from Arizona State University in 1970 with a Bachelor of Architecture degree. He has been a registered architect in Arizona since 1974 and has practiced in the field of historic preservation all of his architectural career, specializing in the inspection and rehabilitation of historic buildings, and in the stabilization and conservation of adobe.

Mr. Garrison was hired as a historical architect by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) in 1990 to oversee the Certified Local Government Program that develops preservation programs at the local level. On November 5, 1992, Arizona’s Governor designated Mr. Garrison as the State Historic Preservation Officer.  He also serves on the Advisory Board for the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training, and is active in the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers.  Mr. Garrison is the longest serving SHPO in Arizona.

In his 22 years in this role, Mr. Garrison has been a strong supporter of public archaeology programs. He has always ensured that funding was available for the promotion of the annual celebrations of Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month and the Archaeology Expo. This included using some of the SHPO budget to make up the shortfall when funds from the Arizona Heritage Fund were no longer available for these educational programs. He’s always supported his professional staff’s public speaking engagements and other endeavors to help create an educated and sensitive citizenship in Arizona. 

Mr. Garrison has been an ardent supporter of the Arizona Site Steward Program. He’s worked diligently to keep the Program afloat through the past two decades as it faced numerous funding threats and staffing issues. He also enjoys writing an educational column for the Site Steward Program newsletter to inform the Stewards about important issues in historic preservation.

Mr. Garrison is also responsible for creating the Arizona Historic Preservation Conference venue, when he opted to replace the Certified Local Government regional training workshops with a conference that embraced all aspects of historic preservation. In 12 short years, he has made the Historic Preservation Conference one of the nation’s largest state conferences focused on heritage preservation. 

Jim Garrison has undertaken many special projects and contributed his valuable knowledge and expertise to a multitude of important historic preservation undertakings. However, the Commission especially wants to recognize him for the years of dedicated service that he has provided, and has allowed his staff to provide, to making Arizona’s public archaeology program one of the best in the nation. Arizona’s public archaeology programs continue to serve as an exemplary model for other states, and much of this is a result of Mr. Garrison’s faithful and consistent support.

Avocational Archaeologist: Everett Murphy and Lee Dewester

Everett Murphy and Lee Dewester receive the Avocational Archaeologist award.  Working as volunteers for the Bureau of Land Management in the Safford region, they’ve made significant contributions to scientific research, archaeological site protection, and public education. They’ve worked to restore and stabilize historic cabins and prehistoric cliff dwellings.  Everett and Lee helped to create and interpret replicas of prehistoric dwellings at the Dankworth Archaeological Village at Roper Lake State Park. Both served as docents at the Museum of Anthropology at Eastern Arizona College.  Widely regarded as regional experts, they’ve been key members of university research teams. With over 30 years of service, Everett Murphy has provided knowledge and continuity to the BLM’s cultural heritage program. His accomplishments include co-authoring a book by the University of Texas on “Prehistoric Gila River Canals of the Safford Basin.” Lee Dewester has over 20 years of service to the BLM. His notable accomplishments include assisting the University of Texas in archaeological investigations of Lefthand Canyon.

Professional Archaeologist: Jon Czaplicki

We’re pleased to present Jon Czaplicki an award in the category of Professional Archaeologist. For 25 years, Jon has overseen the archaeology program of the Phoenix Area Office of the Bureau of Reclamation. Jon managed many of the largest research projects in the Southwest. He promoted public understanding of archaeology through creative approaches, transforming complex technical reports into educational publications and exhibits accessible to a wide audience. An example is the “Modern Rivers, Ancient Times” program for the Central Arizona Project.  Jon assisted Indian tribes in developing educational programs and museums. An award-winning film, “Our Elders Knew How to Farm,” focused on a historic irrigation system and showed how farming was important to the Navajo people. Jon is widely recognized for his efforts to ensure effective curation of archaeological collections for future use and long-term preservation. 

Professional Archaeologist: Chris Schrager

We commend Chris Schrager for his work as a Professional Archaeologist. The Bureau of Land Management and Coronado National Forest benefit from his talents as an archaeologist, teacher, and brick mason. Chris uses these skills to forge partnerships that engage the public in preserving historic buildings. The Friends of Kentucky Camp, Cienega Watershed Partnership, Boy Scouts, and others have worked with Chris to restore and preserve such important places as the Empire Ranch, Kentucky Camp, Fairbank Town Site, and Brown Canyon Ranch. Chris uses these projects to develop school programs that meet educational standards for math and science. He received the national “Windows on the Past” award for an educational program with a local charter school. His projects benefit communities through the adaptive re-use of historic buildings to host activities and events. Chris’s efforts allow the public to directly experience and appreciate the importance of historic places in our shared heritage. 

Government Agency: City of Phoenix Aviation Department for “Seeds of Growth”

In the Government Agency category, we commend the City of Phoenix Aviation Department for “Seeds of Growth: Neighborhoods on the Salt River Floodplain.” “Seeds of Growth” is a popular report that brings alive the history of seven residential neighborhoods within the voluntary relocation area covered by the Community Noise Reduction Program. Archaeological studies were required by law.  However, the City went beyond the legal mandate to create a publication that offers historical accounts and photos of the individuals and families who shaped these thriving neighborhoods. The story spans the time from prehistoric Hohokam villages to historic neighborhoods and important leaders of the African-American and Hispanic communities, such as Lincoln Ragsdale, Calvin Goode, and Silvestre Herrera. From its inception, community members participated in the project and helped to shape its content. 

Tribe: Four Southern Tribes Cultural Resources Working Group

We present the Tribe award to the Four Southern Tribes Cultural Resources Working Group. The group includes staff, elders, and members of cultural committees from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Gila River Indian Community, Tohono O’odham Nation, and Ak-Chin Indian Community. Over twenty years, the group has conducted meetings to share information and facilitate consultations with governments, agencies, and organizations. The meetings involve early notification of proposed projects and collaborative resolution of issues related to archaeology. These opportunities enhance understanding of tribal cultural values associated with archaeological sites. Beyond legal compliance for specific projects, the group offers advice on such matters as land use planning and the development of educational programs by parks, museums, and the Phoenix Zoo. The Four Southern Tribes have benefited the public in cooperative efforts to protect Arizona’s archaeological heritage. 

Private Non-Profit Entity: Verde Valley Archaeology Center

The Verde Valley Archaeology Center receives the award for a Private Non-Profit Entity.  Its mission is to preserve archaeological sites and collections; to maintain collections locally and make them available for research and education;  and to foster a deeper understanding of archaeology and American Indian history in the Verde Valley. In only four years, the Center has forged partnerships with the Town of Camp Verde and others; established a museum, library, and curation facility; created public education programs; and grown to 350 members. Its members volunteer on fieldwork, analysis, and interpretive projects in the Prescott and Coconino National Forests.  In 2012, the Center hosted the Verde Valley Archaeology Conference. Public programs include lectures, site tours, film festivals, a YouTube channel, and festivals of archaeology and Native American culture. The Center also presented programs to more than 650 students at 10 schools and public libraries.

Special Achievement Award: “Rock Art of the Grand Canyon Region” (Don Christensen, Jerry Dickey, and Steven Freers)

The Commission presents a Special Achievement Award to three avocational archaeologists for their publication, “Rock Art of the Grand Canyon Region.” Don Christensen, Jerry Dickey, and Steven Freers spent more than two decades recording hundreds of sites in and around the Grand Canyon. The result is a beautiful book that integrates current research to serve as a key reference, while also describing archaeology to the public in an accessible manner. The book highlights the fragile nature of prehistoric rock art and the importance of protecting its scientific, artistic, and heritage values. The authors devoted more than ten thousand hours to the project, which involved arduous hikes into remote areas. They also maintained databases in coordination with the Kaibab National Forest, Grand Canyon National Park, and Bureau of Land Management. “Rock Art of the Grand Canyon Region” is a truly monumental contribution to Arizona archaeology.

Site Steward: Chris Tetzloff

Chris Tetzloff is the recipient of the award for service to the Arizona Site Steward Program. Chris serves as the regional coordinator for the Payson region. In over a decade of service, she’s contributed more than a thousand hours to the program. In 2012, she was honored as assistant regional coordinator of the year. Chris uses excellent administrative, organizational, and social skills in sustaining an effective and tight-knit community of site steward volunteers.  She hosts field trips and other activities to maintain their enthusiasm and knowledge. The program managers at Arizona State Parks, as well as her volunteer stewards, recognize her leadership skills and know that they can rely on Chris Tetzloff.

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