Museum honors Connolly with Earle Chiles Award
The High Desert Museum has chosen Dr. Thomas J. Connolly, research director at the University of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural History & State Museum of Anthropology, for the 29 th annual Earle A. Chiles Award.
The $15,000 cash award, funded by the Chiles Foundation, honors Connolly’s work leading teams of archaeologists who conduct cultural resource management studies for state agencies as well as utility companies, federal agencies and municipalities.
Connolly has fostered many successful collaborations between tribal governments and diverse organizations involved in road building, water control, construction and timber and grazing management.
Connolly was nominated for this year’s award by Dr. C. Melvin Aikens, a former Chiles Award winner and a colleague of Connolly’s at the University of Oregon.
“Tribal lands and cultural sites can be significantly impacted by archeological work,” Aikens said. “Connolly has the proven ability to build bridges of dialogue and understanding that lead to positive outcomes for all parties. His goodwill and personal judgment really exemplify the vision for the Chiles award.”
High Desert Museum President Janeanne Upp said the award honors those who promote conflict resolution and thoughtful management of the natural and cultural resources of the Intermountain West.
“Two things made Dr. Connolly a worthy choice; His holistic, far-reaching perspective on the native cultures of the west and his kind, diplomatic approach to these major projects with multiple stakeholders. He fits in perfectly with a long line of Chiles Award winners.”
“I’m honored by this award,” said Connolly, “and especially to be included among the previous award recipients who have done so much for the preservation and enhancement of our natural and cultural heritage.”
“I’ve had the privilege of working on a great variety of archaeological projects, from sites of the continent’s earliest inhabitants to nineteenth century homesteads. It is important to me to look beyond the artifacts themselves and come to understand the human history they represent.”
Connolly is the co-author of “Oregon Archeology,” widely recognized as the quintessential text on the subject. His work over the past 30 years has helped provide immense context and better public understanding of the long view of history.
About the Award
The Chiles award committee reviews nominations from Museum trustees, peer institutions and the public. The $15,000 award was established in 1983 in honor of Earle A. Chiles, Oregonian, businessman and philanthropist. It is funded by the Chiles Foundation and will be presented at the Earle A. Chiles Award Banquet in Portland on Dec. 4.
