Philadelphia Archaeological Forum

2017 PAF Douglas Heller Award – Joel Bernard Goleman; Myla Goleman Rogers and Caren Goleman Strong and their families

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The 2017 PAF Douglas Heller Award
Presented to Joel Bernard Goleman; Myla Goleman Rogers and Caren Goleman Strong and their families
Received by Myla Goleman Rogers and Janet Felgoise (sister of Joel Goleman) on October 7th, 2017, during the Explore Philly’s Buried Past event, co-hosted by the PAF and Independence National Historical Park, hosted by the National Constitution Center.

Joel Bernard Goleman, in 1969.

In 2017, the Philadelphia Archaeological Forum recognizes Joel Bernard Goleman for his contribution to the preservation of Philadelphia’s history, as well as his daughters, Myla Goleman Rogers and Caren Goleman Strong and their families, in gratitude for their donation of their father’s salvaged collection to the Philadelphia Archaeological Forum for its use in educational activities that extend the mission of bringing Philadelphians into contact with their past.

Text of award presentation, read by PAF President, Douglas Mooney (written by Patrice L Jeppson):
 

PAF is now closing in on its second decade, and, with the passage of time, it has become possible to identify and point to important developments that have shaped both Philadelphia archaeology and our organization. We have rightfully begun to recognize the accomplishments of PAF members as well as the activities of individuals outside our group who share many of our goals and aspirations, and who have stewarded the archaeological resources of the area or otherwise furthered the research, preservation, and interpretation of Philadelphia’s archaeological record.
 
Five years ago, in 2012, the Philadelphia Archaeological Forum established two different awards that recognize individuals and or groups whose activities form part of the legacy of our organization and of Philadelphia’s archaeological history. We would like now to present one of these awards – The PAF Douglas Heller Award
 
The Douglas Heller Award recognizes unusual actions or achievements by individuals or organizations that have furthered the cause of, and support for, archaeology in the city of Philadelphia and its surrounding area. The award is designed to recognize actions taken on behalf of Philadelphia’s archaeological heritage. The award’s recipient need not need be an archaeologist nor a member of PAF.
 
This award was created in honor of the late Douglas J. Heller, whose actions and activities helped to make archaeological discoveries and information more widely available so that they could be celebrated and learned from by the public. As a result of Doug’s efforts PAF could reach out to a far larger audience than otherwise would have been possible. And it is in this vein that the Philadelphia Archaeological Forum, today, for the second time, presents the Douglas J. Heller Award.
 
In 2017, the Philadelphia Archaeological Forum Douglas J. Heller Award recognizes Joel Bernard Goleman for his contribution to the preservation of Philadelphia’s history, as well as his daughters, Myla Goleman Rogers and Caren Goleman Strong and their families, for their donation to the Philadelphia Archaeological Forum of their father’s salvaged collection where it will be used in educational activities that extend the mission of bringing Philadelphians into contact with their past.
 
Joel Goleman unfortunately passed away in 2015. One of his daughter’s, Myla Goleman Rogers, and his sister, Janet Felgoise, will accept the award on his behalf and on behalf of Joel’s other daughter, Myla’s sister, Caren Goleman Strong, who could not be with us today.
 
Myla and Janet, both we at PAF, and people everywhere who share an interest in the history of this great city, have benefited from Joel Goleman’s passion, actions, and commitments all those years ago, and now they will do so again due to the donation of the Goleman Collection to the Philadelphia Archaeological Forum. We are grateful to your family. Today, with pleasure, we present you (Myla), your sister Caren, and your father Joel Goleman with the Philadelphia Archaeological Forum’s Douglas J. Heller Award.