The British Columbia Historical Federation (BCHF) is pleased to announce that Tom Bown of Victoria is a recipient of an Award of Merit.

Awards of Merit are awarded to individuals and organizations who have made a significant contribution to the study or promotion of British Columbia History.

Tom is recognized for his longstanding contributions to research and public education within the historic archaeological field in British Columbia.

Tom has long been a champion of historic archaeology and continues this work as a research associate in the Archaeology Department of the Royal BC Museum and as a member of the Archaeology Society of BC. Tom is passionate about the stories that historic archaeological material conveys. Along with Chriss Addams, he published Glass and Pottery Containers of the Royal Navy and British Military: Historic and Archaeological Finds from the 18th, 19th, and 20th Centuries.

As Tom’s nominator remarked, Tom is “deeply generous with his accrued knowledge and is always willing to share with the public.” Tom has inspired countless people to look at Victoria’s archaeological material in a new way.

The award was presented at the Federation’s annual conference awards gala on July 22. While Tom wasn’t able to attend in person, you can view his acceptance video below.