1997 Recipient
Charles Garrad

Charles (Charlie) Garrad emigrated to Canada from England in 1954 following military service (1948-1951). He began a career in the insurance industry quickly advancing to Senior Inspector, traveling extensively throughout Ontario.

An interest in heritage, particularly native history developed during this time. At the Tabor Hill Ossuary reburial ceremonies in 1956, a second career was, perhaps unknowingly, launched. In 1964, Charlie became a founder-member of the Archaeological Society of Western Ontario. After meeting Dr. J. Norman Emerson at the University of Toronto, Charlie joined the OAS in 1965. The Collingwood area became of particular interest to Charlie. Through his friendship with J. Allan Blair, he conducted historical and archaeological research that resulted in numerous publications, exhibitions, lectures and public programmes over the past 30 years.

Education was important to Charlie. He developed and taught courses at Georgian College, Collingwood and Warden Woods, Scarborough. He founded the Petun Studies Group, Collingwood. Charlie continues to organize field schools and discovery trips for students and the general public. Under his direction, volunteers have located, surveyed and registered some 90 archaeological sites - a testament to his recognition of the importance of preservation and conservation.

Ontario has benefitted from Charlie's warm, humorous, dedicated and knowledgeable outreach. He was a "public archaeologist" before the expression became popular.