Gary Grant is a Western Maryland chapter member who exudes an infectious enthusiasm for Maryland Archaeology and gladly shares it with those around him. Intensely active in archeological endeavors going back into the early 1980s, over the years he has become an acknowledged expert in everything there is to learn about western Maryland archaeology and has developed an excellent talent as a mentor. He knows and explains the sites to new volunteers and passes on the skills of archaeology excavations. This was demonstrated at the 2024 ASM Field Session at the Cresap Fort site in Oldtown where he directed volunteers in the exposure of the Storehouse wall foundation feature as well as during numerous sessions at the Barton site working with Bob Wall in defining the richness of this multi-component site and spearheading work with Dr. Zac Singer and Brian Fritz during the PaleoDigger 2025 effort.
He has been a major factor in the success of the Western Maryland Chapter. He has served as secretary/treasurer, vice president and president over the years. He has enthusiastically participated in the annual Appalachian Festival at FSU, interacting with the public at an exhibit booth over many years. Gary has been active in MHT’s Boy Scout Merit Badge Projects where, once again he exhibited his skill at explaining the process and importance of STP excavations to the boys over the two days of the project. In addition, he aided the Suzanne Trussell with Youth Archaeology Camps held at Fort Bedford and Old Bedford Village.
Overall, Gary Grant exhibits everything we could possibly expect in the archeological community. Devotion to promoting active participation in carrying out the scientific research that we do, expertise in communicating the richness and excitement to be enjoyed by the archeological community, and hard work in helping to make events carried out by ASM the success that we have seen over the years.