Charles “Charlie” Strader is the recipient of the 2020 William C. Lazarus Award. He was nominated by the Southwest Florida Archaeological Society (SWFAS), of which Charlie is a long-time member. He earned an undergraduate degree in Applied Anthropology in 1977 from University of South Florida, in Tampa. His involvement in South Florida archaeology started in 1983 when he phoned John Beriault, then President of SWFAS, to inform him that his property on the Imperial River in Bonita Springs contained an archaeological site. Eventually named the Strader Site (8LL709), it was the scene in 1986 of SWFAS excavations in the stratified, four-meter deep deposits.
In the 1980s, Charlie and John Beriault recorded over 100 archaeological sites, leading to mapping and excavations at a number of them. Some results appear in The Florida Anthropologist and in reports by SWFAS or through Bob Carr and the Archaeological and Historical Conservancy. Charlie has served in SWFAS leadership positions with 2 years as president, 7 years as a trustee, and 19 years as Treasurer, his current position which he ably manages.
He assisted in establishing the SWFAS Craighead Archaeological Laboratory at the Collier County Museum in Naples, in operation since March 1988. He assisted with organizing and hosting three FAS Conferences (1990, 2000, 2010). For many years, the SWFAS December picnic was held at his home. It was said that if you ever needed a volunteer (or a place to fire experimental pottery!), call Charlie. This is still true today.
Charlie also has advocated for historic preservation and education in the community. He has been a longtime member of the Bonita Springs Historical Society, serving as president. That society has helped preserve over 40 historic sites in the City of Bonita Springs. To date, Charlie’s contributions have been recognized with two FAS Certificates of Achievement and two SWFAS
Golden Trowel Awards.
[From The Florida Anthropologist, Volume 73, Number 3, September 2020, George M. Luer, Editor]