Society Awards and Grants
The Wisconsin Archeological Society offers a number of awards and grants the members of the Society are eligible to apply for and receive. Awards such as the Increase A. Lapham award and the Robert Ritzenthaler Service award are presented to those individuals that have provide service, while other awards such as the Wisconsin Archeological Society Research Award (WASRA) providing funding opportunities for students and avocational archaeologists.
Increase A. Lapham Award
The Lapham Medal, founded by The Wisconsin Archeological Society in 1926 in commemoration of the archeological investigations of Wisconsin's honored pioneer archeologist, Dr. Increase Allen Lapham, has been struck from time to time and awarded to members of the state society and to others "for distinguished service in archeological research."
Robert E. Ritzenthaler Service Award
Dr. Robert Ritzenthaler, after his retirement as Curator of Anthropology at the Milwaukee Public Museum, also resigned a s editor of The Wisconsin Archeologist. He had been working in the capacity of editor for more than 20 years . The officers of The Wisconsin Archeological Society felt that such devotion should not be forgotten, so, to honor "Doc," an award was designed and completed (most of the work was done by Neil Ostberg and Paul Keoppler).
This award was originally intended as a once-only tribute to honor Dr. Ritzenthaler for his many years of service to the Wisconsin Archeological Society upon the occasion of his retirement from the Milwaukee Public Museum in 1972. In 1975, the officers of the Society felt that this should become a continuing award, and with the permission of Dr. Ritzenthaler, the service award was instituted.
Since the death of Dr. Ritzenthaler, March 25, 1980, this award takes on an additional significance as a memorial to him, and his work in the Wisconsin Archeological Society since 1938.
Wisconsin Archeological Society Research Award (WASRA)
The Wisconsin Archeological Society Research Award provides funding for students and avocational achaeologists conducting research in the state of Wisconsin. The WASRA recipient can use funding in the amount upto $500 to run radio carbon dates, travel to a site, specialized analysis, etc.