NYAC News

There is a new website that provides information on the threat to section 106 legislation: www.106strong.com

For sixty years, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act has given Tribal Nations, communities, local governments, preservation professionals, and the public a voice before federal decisions damage the places that carry our history.

Today, that protection faces unprecedented regulatory, legislative, and executive threats. 800+ organizations representing 8+ million of Americans have come together to defend it—and to make it stronger for the next generation.

You are warmly invited to attend the 50th Anniversary Party  of the New York Archaeological Council

October 24, 2026
11:30 a.m. to 3:30 pm
at the Chowder House
57 Burrstone Rd, New York Mills, NY 13417

Please join us for a belated anniversary party celebrating fifty years of NYAC. This private event is free, thanks to generous donations. We will enjoy brief presentations from NYAC members about past activities. A buffet lunch will be provided, as well as water and iced tea. The buffet menu includes: chowder, garden salad, slider rolls, fried haddock, house made chicken tenders, Cajun roasted shrimp, sweet potato fries, pasta primavera (vegetarian) and cake for dessert. Please indicate any dietary restrictions in your RSVP. There will be a cash bar, but if current fundraising goals are exceeded, we could get tickets for alcoholic beverages or coffee. Attendees must be current on their NYAC dues and unfortunately cannot bring a guest, due to limited seating capacity at the restaurant.

We are collecting pictures from NYAC members spanning the last 50 years, to upload into digital picture frames for slideshows during the party. Please send no more than 10 digitized pictures per person, along with names of those pictured and locations for captions. Images that include NYAC members who are no longer with us are encouraged. This retrospective image collection and caption catalog will be preserved in NYAC’s Dropbox account. Please email your pictures and RSVPs (including dietary restrictions) to Kristin Clyne-Lehmann at kclynel1@binghamton.edu. In order to provide a head count to the restaurant, RSVPs are required for this event no later than October 9th.

If you would like to donate to the party fund, please send payment to Ann Morton via 1.) a check, with “for the 50th party” in the memo or 2.) PayPal, including a note that it is for the 50th party. We hope you can join us for this fun celebration.

Invite to 50th Anniversary Party of the New York Archaeological Council

Event Date: June 6, 2026 10 am – 2:00 pm
Event Address: New York State Museum Education Center  222 Madison Ave, Albany, NY 12230
Contact us at: bethaselig@gmail.com

A Cultural Resource Management (CRM) Training Program is being developed by NYAC for people who are seeking work in CRM. The program will eventually include professionally-taught modules devoted to regulatory background, fieldwork, and laboratory work. The program will be open to others who are interested in being better informed about how archaeology works in practice in New York State. The June 6th workshop  is being held to refine the curriculum with input from professionals working in the region. The workshop is open to archaeologists, preservationists and professionals working in related fields.  If you are interested in attending the June 6th workshop, please use the following link to register.

https://forms.gle/yJzqVEE9nTuYeyKAA

New York State Archaeological Association
107th Annual Meeting
April 17-19, 2026
Rochester Airport Marriott
1890 West Ridge Road, Rochester New York 14615

Conference Registration

» 2026 NYSAA Registration Form (pdf)

Hotel Accommodations

There has been confusion about the rate for the conference hotel. It is $123 per night. Please follow the directions when making reservations. Booking the hotel is separate from the conference registration. The conference rates are in effect until March 19, 2026. You may reserve a room online via Book your group rate for Archeology Conference or by calling 585-371-6181 M-F from 8:00am-4:00pm, ask for Carolyn and ensure you identify yourself as a member of the NYSAA.

Tour

The 2026 NYSAA conference tour will take place Friday April 17th, 3pm, at the 1816 Quaker Meeting House in Farmington NY. There is no cost for the tour, but registration is required. Please send a note to tour@nysarchaeology.org.

» Tour of Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse (pdf)

Transportation

Shuttle service from the Rochester International Airport is available. Contact the Hotel upon arriving at the airport to make arrangements for the shuttle service.

Student Rates

Special Student rates are available for high school and college students, provided a copy of a valid Student ID is included with the registration form. The special rates cover both the registration fee and banquet meal.

Meals

Friday night dinner is on your own. The Images Restaurant & Bar is located at the hotel for your convenience, and there are several other nearby dining options. Additional information will be included in your Conference Registrant packet.

Meal plans are available for breakfast on Saturday and/or Sunday, and for lunch for Saturday only. The Conference Banquet is a sit-down dinner and will take place on Saturday evening. Please refer to the registration form for meal selections.

Spouses/friends of those attending who do not plan to participate in the session but would like to join us for one or more meals may do so without registering for the conference.

Arts & Book Sale – Saturday, 8AM to 5:30 PM

Join us in Marriott’s “Olympia Room,” right next to Images Restaurant & Bar, to meet Haudenosaunee artisans and see their work, and to browse through publications to add to your reference library. (No archaeological artifacts for sale.) Spacious 6-foot tables are available, and all vendors must make reservations to rent space:

• Artists and book sellers: $25 per 6 ft table, or $15 for ½ table – an affordable way to connect with attendees.

Table space is limited and reservations are required. Contact Justin Tubiolo (tubiolo@juno.com) to reserve your space. Do not include Arts & Book Sale table rental with the Conference Registration. Please make checks or money orders payable to Lewis Henry Morgan Chapter, NYSAA and mail to Justin Tubiolo, 67 Midland Drive, Webster NY 14580.

Award of $1,500 &

1-year membership in NYSAA

Administered by the
William M. Beauchamp Chapter of the New York State Archaeological Association

To apply for this award, a student must be a New York state resident enrolled in an accredited New York state college or university undergraduate anthropology or history program. The student applicant must have completed a minimum of 30 credit hours; be majoring in anthropology or history; and be intending to pursue a career in archaeology (prehistoric, historic, military, industrial, marine) or museology; and be able to show a financial need.

The applicant must provide: 

1).   A current college transcript showing a “B” average or better.

2).   A financial need statement (Financial aid verification form from the college).

3).   A letter describing involvement in archaeological projects; a brief description of financial need; and applicant’s future plans (stated in the applicant’s own words & writing).

4).   A recommendation from a professional archaeologist.

The application for this award must be postmarked no later than Friday, March 20th, 2026.  It is advised that materials be sent as early as possible in the event that the committee has questions.  All materials are to be sent to Dr. Ellis McDowell-Loudan at the following address.

Dr. ELLIS McDOWELL – LOUDAN
BOX 502
3 WEST ACADEMY ST.
McGRAW, NY 13101

A committee composed of professional archaeologists, and avocational members of the Beauchamp Chapter will review the applications after March 20th, and choose the award recipient.

The award winner will be selected no later than Wednesday, April 1st, and announced at the 107th NYSAA Annual Meeting in Rochester, NY, during the NYSAA Annual Awards Banquet on Saturday, April 18th, 2026.

The Robert E. Funk Memorial Archaeology Foundation, Inc., announces its 2025-2026 grant application and funding cycle for research grants of up to $2,500.  The Funk Foundation supports archaeological research on New York State.  Grants can be used to support small stand-alone archaeological research projects or studies that are parts of larger investigations.  Previous Funk Foundation grants have funded a range of research projects including artifact collections studies, faunal analysis, radiocarbon dating, artifact petrography, stone tool microwear, remote sensing, and isotopic and geochemical analyses.

Grant applications for the 2025-2026 funding cycle must be received by December 1, 2025.  Applications will be reviewed in a competitive process by the Funk Foundation Board of Directors.  Award decisions will be made by December 22, 2025.  Guidelines and format for grant applications can be found at www.funkfoundation.org. We strongly encourage prospective grant applicants to contact the Board President, Dr. Jonathan Lothrop, to discuss their proposed research before preparing and submitting a grant application: Jonathan.Lothrop@NYSED.Gov or (518) 486-2992.

The Robert E. Funk Memorial Archaeology Foundation, Inc., is a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, dedicated to supporting archaeological research on the New York region by professional, student, and avocational archaeologists. 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

October 2025

The New York Society of the Archaeological Institute of America (AIANYS) and the Metropolitan Chapter of the New York State Archaeological Association (NYSAA) are offering a $1,500 scholarship to a student in support of archival, collections or field-based research, scientific analysis or a public outreach project primarily focused on New York City-based archaeology. The scholarship program is administered and overseen by both organizations working in collaboration for the second time.

ELIGIBILITY AND TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• To be eligible the student must be pursuing a relevant course of study and research that involves the archaeology of New York City.

• We will accept applications from undergraduate or graduate students, enrolled in an accredited US or Canadian college or university, who are preparing a thesis or doctoral dissertation, or are engaged in independent research connected to the student’s academic studies.

• The $1,500 scholarship is paid directly to the student in one lump sum at or near the initiation of the student’s qualifying activities. The scholarship is not a salary, is not offered in lieu of a salary, as additional income or as a supplemental source of funding for a university or a Cultural Resource Management project. It is intended to support the costs associated with conducting the research project.

APPLICATION PROCESS (Online only)

• Faculty members from colleges and universities across the USA and Canada are asked to support their student applicants with a brief letter of endorsement. Faculty may endorse more than one student applicant. The faculty endorsement link can be found here: https://forms.gle/Md3F1PRrGJVpRH9L9

• Nominated students will submit an application along with a narrative description of the project in 500 words or less, a budget that identifies anticipated project-related expenses and a project timeline. The application should be accompanied by a transcript of the student’s academic record. The online application can be accessed through this link: https://forms.gle/jPH57zAptWN5SUXj6

Applications are due by November 21st. The recipient of the scholarship will be selected by December 19th. The scholarship will be disbursed when the student begins the research, no earlier than the first quarter of the new year.

• The recipient will be chosen by a committee comprised of four academic board members — two from the Metropolitan Chapter of the NYSAA and two from the AIANYS.

ACTIVITIES & BENEFITS

• At the conclusion of the project, the student will make a presentation to both organizations, either individually or jointly. The student will also submit a brief article which will be published in each organization’s newsletter.

• Periodic reports will only be required if there is an unforeseen delay that affects the project’s timeline. The Committee reserves the right to request an update on the student’s work at any point during the project timeline. The Committee will also monitor the project’s progress, including the expenses incurred, as appropriate.

• The student will be given a complimentary one-year student membership in AIA and NYSAA, provided and paid for by the respective organizations.

New York State Archaeological Association

106th Annual Meeting
May 2-4, 2025
Niagara Riverside Resort
7001 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls, New York, 14304

This is a call for anyone interested in presenting a paper or poster pertaining to the archaeology of New York and adjoining regions including the Niagara region of Ontario. Presentations should be 20 minutes in length. Easels will be provided for posters which can be of any size up to 48″ x 60″. Presenters must be members of the NYSAA. To join a chapter near you, visit nysarchaeology.org/nysaa/join-nysaa/. If you do not live near a chapter, you may join as an At-Large member (Individual = $20, Student = $10). On co-authored papers/posters, the lead author must be a member. Individuals are limited to one paper or poster, although individuals may co-author multiple papers.

We now have 32 papers either submitted or promised. If we reach our limit of 46, paper submissions will be closed. Submissions along with registration must be received by April 1. 

Registration information will be available online at nysarchaeology.org/conference Please send your title, abstract (under 200 words), affiliation (chapter and/or institution), and contact information to Bill Engelbrecht, engelbwe@gmail.com. Due to a strong initial response, we anticipate double sessions for all or part of the conference.

The Frederick Houghton Chapter is proud to host the 106th annual meeting of the New York State Archaeological Association and the annual Spring meeting of the New York Archaeological Council, May 2 – 4, 2025. NYAC will meet on Friday May 2. The NYSAA annual business meeting will be Friday evening, with paper presentations during the day on Saturday and Sunday morning. The annual banquet, awards ceremony, and banquet speaker will be Saturday evening. Our banquet speaker is Kelly Berliner, Eastern Regional Director of the Archaeological Conservancy. All events will be at the Niagara Riverside Resort, 7001 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls, NY.

  2025 Call for Papers & Registration

  NYSAA Annual Meeting Final Program & Abstracts

  Conference Page

Updated: April 10, 2025

Reminder: the deadline for applying for the $1,500 Daniel H. Weiskotten Scholarship offered by the William Beauchamp Chapter, and the New York State Archaeological Association is fast approaching. All application materials must be postmarked no later than April 4th, 2025. 

We are pleased to share that 2025 marks our 36th year of awarding a scholarship to an outstanding New York State student who plans to pursue a career in archaeology.

We take pride in the fact that to date we have awarded over $30,000 in scholarships to worthy candidates. The 2025 award has been increased to $1,500.00!

Contributing members of the New York State Archaeological Association as well as the members of the William M. Beauchamp Chapter in Syracuse, NY have been most generous in funding this scholarship program and enabling us to continue this tradition.

We ask you to promote this scholarship to your worthy and qualified undergraduate students. Please encourage them to make a copy of the announcement poster and to apply for this generous scholarship without delay. The deadline for filing is April 4th, 2025.

If you have any questions, please contact me at 315-345-5094. 

Thanks so much for your enthusiastic endorsement of this important program.
Beauchamp Scholarship 2025 Announcement

Michael Beardsley

Chairperson, Daniel H. Weiskotten Scholarship Program

William Beauchamp Chapter, NYSAA