Ray Decker's review of the Chapter's first 50 years.

Following the April 18th meeting, Ray presented an insightful history of our Chapter with personal remembrances. Above, shaking hands, are Chapter founder Selwyn Gibbs, and charter member, Bill Elhers. Sig. Oalfson, Eastern States Federation, looks on.

Dr. Arthur Parker, first New York State Museum archaeologist.

NYSAA member, Dr. William A. Ritchie, also from the New York State Museum, whose book on lithic points continues to be the seminal work on the subject.

Dr. Mariam White, shown here at a dig, went on to a distinguished career at the University of Buffalo

IOCCNYSAA member and NYSAA Fellow, Ed Lenik, is a renown authority on the Lenape Indians and the region's early Iron Industry.

Bill Ehler, center, with Harold Halcott, Mrs. Halcott and daughter at an early dig overlooking the Black Dirt.

Bill Ehler at Dutchess Quarry Caves in the 1960's.

Recovering the Sugar Loaf mastodon skeleton from the black dirt in the pouring rain.

The skull of the Arborio mastodon rescued during the construction of Interstate Route 84.

The lower jaw of the Arborio mastodon as it rests in the New York State Museum. This is a very rare example of a mastodon with three teeth - normally they have two. 

The Chapter did a lot of work at Fort Decker in Port Jervis.

Laurence Hansen shown here with a sunken barrel at the fort that may have been originally used to store live eels or perhaps catfish caught in the nearby Delaware River.  Later it appears to have been used as a trash receptacle.

Bravo to Ray Decker for a fascinating look at the Chapter's illustrious history!