Archaeological Commission Now Accepting Nominations for Brenman Award
Archaeology Award Honors Legacy of Late Alexandria Preservationist

The Alexandria Archaeological Commission (AAC) is now accepting nominations for the Bernard “Ben” Brenman Archaeology in Alexandria Award. The AAC established this award to celebrate the contributions of the late Ben Brenman, who devoted himself to finding, preserving, and sharing Alexandria’s rich and diverse heritage. Brenman was a founding member of the AAC, a City of Alexandria commission that was the first of its kind established in the United States, and served as its chair for 21 years.

The Brenman Award, established in 2007, is open to 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. Nomination forms are available at alexandriava.gov/archaeology/ben-brenman-award-for-archaeology or by calling the Alexandria Archaeology Museum at 703.746.4399. The deadline for nominations is Tuesday, July 1.

Ben Brenman Awards are presented during Virginia Archaeology Month in October and are announced by Alexandria City Council proclamation at a City Council meeting.

Recent recipients of the Brenman Award include: Marian Van Landingham, summer Archaeology Camp counselors, EYA RTS Construction, LLC, AECOM, Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory, the African American Heritage Trail Committee, Eagle Scout Griffin Burchard, the Fort Ward Interpretive Committee, community historian McArthur Myers, retired City Archaeologist Francine Bromberg, preservation advocate S. Kathleen Pepper, volunteer Anna Lynch, and preservation advocate Bill Dickinson. Past winners include: archaeologists, educators, grassroots organizations, cultural resource management firms, Alexandria residents, former Alexandria Archaeological Commission members, historians, developers, and generous donors. For a complete list of past Award recipients and details, please go to alexandriava.gov/archaeology/ben-brenman-award-for-archaeology.

Appointed by City Council, the 15-member AAC 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.

For more information, contact Eleanor Breen, City Archaeologist at eleanor.breen@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.4399.

About the Office of Historic Alexandria 

The Office of Historic Alexandria preserves and shares the history of the City of Alexandria with eight museums, historic sites, archives, archaeology, tours, exhibits and public programs. Through powerful storytelling and confronting the City’s past, Historic Alexandria enriches the present and inspires the future. We enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors and serve as a partner in the City’s equity and inclusion initiatives. For more information, visit alexandriava.gov/Historic.

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For reasonable disability accommodation, contact Nicole Quinn at historicalexandria@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.4554, Virginia Relay 711. 

If you prefer communication in another language, free interpretation and translation services are available to you, please email LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or call 703-746-3960.