About the Texas Archeological Society

Texas Archeological Society Awards

TAS Awards 2009 Annual Meeting

This year the Society chose to present the Fellow Award to Bob Burleson of Temple, the Francis Stickney Field School Award to Dempsey Malaney of Ochiltree County, the C. K. Chandler Award to Rose Mary Rogers and Tommy Garrison, of the Iraan Society, the Golden Pen Award to Laurie Moseley of Springtown, and the Texas Biface Historic Preservation Award to Tommy Garrison of Iraan.  Quoting from the nomination letter for Bob Burleson, "Bob’s membership in the TAS lasted two years short of a half-century (1961-2009) and his powerful presence was felt by everyone who worked with him, listened to his folk music, and learned of the many things he did to protect, preserve, promote, and enliven the archaeological and natural wonder of our state.  Bob was a lawyer by profession, a conservationist by heart, and he masterfully used his professional acumen in promoting his passion for conservation."

Bob’s award was accepted on his behalf by State Archeologist, Pat Mercado-Allinger, and was presented to his wife Mickey at the Burleson Ranch on November 10th.  The Francis Stickney Field School award was awarded to Dempsey Malaney and was received for him by Bob Smith, his field school camp boss trainer.  In his two years as Co-Camp Boss and then Camp Boss, Dempsey exemplified the spirit of this award as he committed to seeing that the camp operations ran smoothly despite rains, hail and tornados.

Bob with crew at Stallings Ranch in 2005. Bob excavating at Presidio San Saba in 2003. Bob the muscian at Stallings Ranch in 2005.

In the spirit of recording sites year in and year out, the C. K. Chandler Award was presented to Tommy Garrison and Rose Mary Rogers of the Iraan Archeological Society.  In all, they recorded 37 sites all of which were submitted handwritten and required typing by Jonathan Jarvis at the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory.

Julia and Laurie Moseley admire Laurie’s new Golden Pen Award. (Photo/Paula Vastine)

Writing articles for local newspapers is a task that has been accepted by numerous members of the years and is still being pursued by several TAS members throughout the state.  Laurie Moseley of Springtown writes a weekly column for the Springtown Epigraph and has been doing this for over fifteen years.  These columns go into a book sold at the Legend’s Museum in Springtown.  He has also written a newsletter for the Optimist Club and was editor of the Somerville County Centennial History, which is now in its fifth printing.  The Golden Pen award was proudly earned by Laurie Moseley.

The Texas Biface Historic Preservation Award was presented to Tommy Garrison of the Iraan Archeological Society.  Garrison has recorded and documented a variety of historic and prehistoric resources in his home territory.  These include a prehistoric rock shelter, getting a THC marker for “Giddings Lost Pecos Station of the Lower Road in Pecos County, and two unmarked graves near the Pecos Station just to mention a few things.  Now the Awards Committee is looking forward to receiving numerous nominations from you, the membership, for the Awards of 2010.

See History to view previous winners.