1997 Recipient:
Helen Armstrong

Helen Armstrong always knew how important the past was to the present. Her upbringing in Cornwall, Ontario, close to the United Empire Loyalist settlements along the St. Lawrence River, started her on a life-long journey of discovery. After graduating from the University of Toronto, she began her teaching career which led to assignments in Northern Ontario, the Ottawa Valley, the West Indies and finally Kanata, Ontario.

Helen's penchant for history easily translated into an exploration of local archaeology and led to an affiliation with the Ontario Ministry office responsible for archaeology in Eastern Ontario and also with the Ontario Archaeological Society. During the early 1980's, Helen designed a full-year term archaeology programme at Earl of March High School. Using the adjacent Scharf farm site to train students in archaeological field techniques and methodology, she instilled her own brand of natural curiosity to her students. She became a mentor and promoter to other schools and teachers in the region. Even after her retirement, her advice on school programming in archaeology was still sought.

At the same time, Helen worked enthusiastically with the OAS and the Ottawa Chapter serving as President of the Ottawa Chapter from 1989 to 1991 and Chair of the Public Archaeology Committee for many years. She organized and implemented a broad range of events at provincial parks, local heritage centres and area schools. Helen reached out to the public and was an ever-present and unfailing promoter of the OAS.