News Release

National Park Service Announces Cotter Award Winners

Clockwise, from top left: Jed Levin at President's House; Dedication ceremony of African American Burial Ground at Fort Frederica with Geechee Gullah Shouters & minister of the First African Baptist Church, St. Simons Island; Eric Bezemek; Michael Seibert

NPS Photos

News Release Date: June 7, 2021

Contact: Adam Freeburg, Cotter Award Committee Chair

The NPS is pleased to announce the winners of the 2021 John L. Cotter Award for Excellence in NPS Archeology. This award is presented to individuals and teams who demonstrate innovation in archeological practice, resource stewardship, and public outreach, among other criteria. We celebrate the kind of work we wish to see throughout the National Park system.

This year’s winners are:

• Jed Levin (Professional Achievement): Jed Levin’s work illustrates the importance of archeology in revealing the hidden histories of our past and ways it can inform us about human relations in the present. Throughout his career with the NPS Northeast Region Archeology Program, where he led archeological efforts at Steamtown NHS, the Path of Progress National Heritage Tour Route, and Independence NHP, Levin has focused on America’s complex and sometimes troubling history. His passion for public engagement is evident in his work, whether interacting with visitors during excavations at Independence NHP or in the public Archeology Lab, meeting with stakeholders, or supporting the Philadelphia Archeological Forum to advocate for the protection of archeological resources in the city. Through his dedication and leadership, Levin’s work has led to meaningful changes in ways that archeological resources are identified, mitigated, and represented within the NPS. 
• Michael Seibert and Eric Bezemek (Project Excellence): The project Locating the African American Cemetery at Fort Frederica National Monument resolved a long-standing question of the location of burials of enslaved and freed populations of African Americans on St. Simons Island, Georgia. Working closely with stakeholders, Seibert and Bezemek developed a research methodology to locate burials with minimal ground disturbance, established a committee who participated in the decision-making process, and hosted a re-dedication ceremony involving four different religious sects. The project culminated in a day-long festival celebrating Gullah Geechee cultural heritage. They supervised and mentored students and volunteers who played integral roles in researching biographies of the interred individuals, developing outreach events and materials, and contacting stakeholder groups. A new museum exhibit at Fort Frederica will highlight the insights gained from this project.