Archey Award
Walter Skrzypek
The Archey Award is given annually to a member of the Society able to devote only spare time to their archaeological interests. The recipient of this award must be a member of the State SPA (not just a local chapter), but not necessarily a resident of Pennsylvania. The award is presented to an individual who has given significant contributions, over an appreciable period of time, toward the unselfish furtherance of Pennsylvania’s Archaeology.
Walter has been a dedicated contributor to the Western Pennsylvania Petroglyphs Project, volunteering numerous days and hours of his time and resources to travel across western Pennsylvania to assist in recording the region's rock art.
He manages his own YouTube channel Timberadventures, which presents relevant and impartial aspects of Pennsylvania archaeology and history in a clear and concise manner. His channel enjoys substantial viewership and effectively educates the public about topics often overlooked by other archaeological sources. His most popular videos provide insightful backgrounds on rock art and other subjects and have garnered a significant number of viewers and followers.
North Fork Chapter Members Receive SPA 2025 Awards
J. Alden Mason Award
Charles Williams
The J. Alden Mason Award is given to a professional archaeologist based upon her/his contribution to education and encouragement of SPA members in the proper pursuit of archaeology over an appreciable number of years. The recipient of this award must be a member of the State SPA (not just a local chapter), To be considered for this award, a nominee must have a Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Archaeology or a related science.
Chuck is currently serving as the SPA president and has previously served as the 1st VP. He is also the current President of North Fork Chapter 29.
His education in biology along with a love of local history and archaeology has led to a special interest in landscape archaeology including the use of LiDAR and remote sensing as it relates to local and regional land-use history and landscape legacies; river and wetland archaeology and landscapes of movement).
Current research projects include: 1. environmental history and landscape archaeology of the 19th century iron industry of northwestern Pennsylvania; 2.the Venango Path Project: archaeology, history, and environment; and 3. environmental history and archaeology of northwestern Pennsylvania's Clarion River with an emphasis on historic flow regulation, industrial legacies and river recovery.
This is the 2nd museum where Stan’s likeness is on display. This miniature if him adorns an Iroquois longhouse diorama in the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh in his iconic hat and plaid pants.