[Archived] Alexandria Archaeological Commission Announces Winners of Brenman Archaeology Award

The Alexandria Archaeological Commission (AAC) is proud to announce the winners of the annual Bernard “Ben” Brenman Archaeology in Alexandria Award. The awards, named in honor of the late Ben Brenman, a longtime Commission chair, were presented by Mayor Silberberg on Tuesday, October 10 at the Alexandria City Council meeting. Councilmember Del Pepper read the proclamation.

The 2017 honorees are:

Anna Lynch:  Outstanding Volunteer, is presented posthumously to Anna Lynch in recognition of her nearly 30-year dedication to researching, interpreting, and preserving Alexandria’s history and exciting generations of school children about their local history through archaeology-based lessons; for filling an important gap in our knowledge of a vital part of the City’s history with her three volume Compendium of Early African Americans in Alexandria, VA, published by Alexandria Archaeology; and for her engaging style and depth of knowledge that affected how so many visitors experienced Alexandria’s rich history and archaeology; and

Bill Dickinson:  Outstanding Preservation Vision, for his role in facilitating the City’s acquisition of the Murray-Dick-Fawcett House, one of the earliest surviving homes in the city and possibly the least altered 18^th-century home in Northern Virginia; for his innovative approach to securing grant funding to purchase the house and grounds which will be used in perpetuity as a historic site, pocket garden and park, new open space, and represents the preservation of a nationally significant architectural and cultural resource for residents and visitors; and for his dedication to enriching the historic and cultural fabric of Alexandria.

 The Alexandria Archaeological Commission (AAC) established the Brenman Award in 2007 in honor of the late activist and retired U.S. Army colonel. Brenman had devoted himself to finding, preserving and sharing Alexandria’s rich and diverse heritage, and was a founding member of the AAC, serving as its chair for 21 years. The AAC, a City of Alexandria commission, was the first of its kind established in the U.S.

 The Brenman Award recognizes businesses, organizations, families, professional preservationists, volunteers, students and other individuals who have demonstrated work or efforts in archaeological investigation, research, site protection, education, public interpretation, open space design, collections, or conservation.

The 14-member AAC is appointed by the City Council and develops goals and priorities for Alexandria's archaeological heritage. The commission works closely with residents, government agencies, developers, and teachers to promote archaeology in the city.